Australia extends Fiji derogation

A DECISION taken by the Australian govern ment last month will assist the garment industry in Fiji.

On August 4, the Australian govern ment agreed to grant Fiji a continuation of its existing derogation under the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Agreement, SPARTECA, for a further twelve months to August 4, 2000.

This will facilitate entry into the Aus tralian market for clothing produced in Fiji.

The continuation of the existing dero gation, which is in response to a request from the Fiji government, was announced in Suva by the Australian High Commis sioner, Susan Boyd, who said the Fiji gov

eminent request was considered according to normal procedures.

“Input from both the Fiji government and the Australian textile, clothing and footwear industry has been important in the decision-making process,” Ms Boyd said.

“The information provided by the Fiji government, including in response to requests which the Australian government made after receipt of the original request from Fiji for a derogation, has been a help ful and constructive part of that process and has helped to highlight the importance Fiji attaches to this issue.”

Ms Boyd said it was noteworthy that the latest outcome is essentially the same as the derogation initially granted to Fiji in 1998.

The original derogation was granted for twelve months in May 1998.

A further continuation for three months was granted in May this year to enable Fiji’s request for a continuation of the derogation to be adequately considered.

Ms Boyd said a derogation is only a temporary measure related to a particular set of circumstances and cannot be relied upon to secure the future of the industry in the longer term.

The terms of the SPARTECA agree ment require that the Fiji government put in place policies and procedures that enable the Fiji textile, clothing and footwear industry to move towards a posi tion where it no longer requires further relief from a derogation to achieve prefer ence eligibility. ■