PORT MORESBY (Papua New Guinea Post-Courier/PINA) — Calls have been made for a new commercially focused central trade body within the Pacific islands to focus on developing import and export opportunities for small to medium enterprises.
Participants at the third Melanesian Spearhead Group International Shipping Conference recommended this. They said the new body should provide support and information which would facilitate trade within the islands.
This in turn would help provide a wider choice of ports of call and create a greater level of efficiency of freight rates.
Participants at the conference in Auckland recommended funding to set up the agency be source from donor agencies with the help of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
They also said: “The shipping lines operating within the MSG trade lanes are to examine and consider the potential and possible consolidation of their full container services.”
The group discussed inefficiencies in services with regards to ports of call and rates for full containers.
They said there should be further rationalization through mutual dialogue in order to reduce costs and improve the trade opportunities of importers and exporters in the region.
Melanesian Spearhead Group governments would be encouraged to allow international shipping companies to uplift cargo between domestic ports.
Port authorities would also be asked to review their working hours to allow for a seven-day working week.
Participants also added: “International vessels operating within a country should be exempt from fuel duty and or excise levies on fuel consumed within territorial waters.”
