Participation of Fiji Non Government Organisations

Representatives of the Fiji private sector and civil society, commonly referred to as non-state actors are also invited to participate at the 3rd ACP Summit for Heads of State and Government at Sheraton in Nadi.

To achieve the social and economic objectives of enhancing economic development and alleviation of poverty, the Fiji Government encourages active participation of non-state actors in the formulation of trade policies especially in the negotiation of a new trading arrangement with the European Union (EU).

The Cotonou Agreement has four main sectors, which are the political dimension, the inclusion of non-state actors in the partnership, the new trade arrangement and financial cooperation.

The negotiation of a New Trading Arrangement (NTA) with the EU will be formally launched in September this year in Brussels. The negotiation must finish by December 2007 and the NTA will come into force by 1 January 2008.

In preparation for this negotiation, Fiji conducted its first national workshop in Suva on 19-20 June, which was also attended by representatives of non-state actors. It is envisaged that more national workshops will take place as the negotiation progresses.