Fiji has not placed any ban on imports of food items from Papua New Guinea and there are no unnecessary restrictions in place, says Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Faiyaz Koya.

He made the comments at a media conference in Suva today after PNG’S Minister of Trade, Richard Maru made comments about Fiji banning PNG food imports.

Minister Koya said there were some issues with OX & Palm manufacturing and the Bio Security Authority of Fiji (BAF) had made their proposals and was informed that the OX & Palm manufacturing were no longer interested in exporting the product.

“During a meeting in 2014, BAF was informed by NAQIA that manufacturers of OX & Palm were no longer interested in exporting to Fiji. Since then no progress was made in the Import Risk Analysis (IRA) from PNG’s end despite numerous attempts form Fiji.”

He said he has sent out a letter to Minister Maru to have a bilateral meeting as he thinks that the matter can be sorted out.

“In the true MSG (Melanesian Spearhead Group) spirit, we have written to him, to invite him to have a bilateral meeting to see if this matter can be resolved.”

Minister Maru had warned Fiji that their banning of import of products could trigger retaliatory actions.

He had also said that he had given 14 days for Fiji to respond however the Fijian Government has denied receiving any notice from PNG.

By Sonal Shivangani