WT/TPR/G/387 /Rev.1  
28 June 2019 
(19-4342) Page: 1/16 
Trade Policy Review Body   Original: English  
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
REPORT BY  
PAPUA NEW GUINEA 
Revision  
Pursuant to the Agreement Establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the 
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization), the policy statement by 
Papua  New Guinea  is attached.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 WT/TPR/G/387 /Rev.1  • Papua New Guinea  
 
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  CONTENTS  
1   SUMMARY  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  3 
2   ECONOMIC OVERVIE W ................................ ................................ ................................  3 
2.1   Performance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  3 
2.2   Macro Policy Developments and Priorities  ................................ ................................ ....... 4 
2.3   Outlook  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  4 
3   DEVELOPMENT FRAM EWORK  ................................ ................................ .......................  4 
4   TRADE POLICIES A ND PRIORITIES  ................................ ................................ .............  5 
4.1   Trade Policy  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  5 
4.2   Tariff Liberal ization  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 6 
4.3   Intellectual Property (IP) Rights  ................................ ................................ ....................  6 
4.4   SPS and Biosecurity  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 7 
4.5   Standards  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  7 
5   SECTORAL TRADE P OLICIES  ................................ ................................ ........................  8 
5.1   Agricu lture ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  8 
5.2   Forestry  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  9 
5.3   Fisheries  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 10 
5.4   Manufacturing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 10 
5.5   Services  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 11 
5.6   Mining, Oil, and Gas  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....11 
6   TRADE NEGOTIATIO NS AND RELATIONSHIPS  ................................ ...........................  12 
6.1   Multilateral Trading Arrangements  ................................ ................................ ................ 12 
6.2   Regional  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 13 
6.3   Bilateral  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 13 
7   CONCLUSION ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  14 
ANNEX: TRADE -RELATED  TECHNICAL ASSISTANC E ................................ ........................  15 
 
 
  WT/TPR/G/387 /Rev.1  • Papua New Guinea  
 
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  1  SUMMARY  
1.1.  Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been a member of the WTO since 1996 and this is the country 's 
third Trade Policy Review (TPR), the second having been completed in 2010 –11. The country is a 
strong sup porter of the rules -based international trading system, which is of particular value to small 
economies that lack the administrative capacity to negotiate  on trade -related matters 
simultaneously with their many trading partners.  PNG does not yet have perma nent representation 
in Geneva, and is represented in WTO matters by the Geneva office of the Pacific Islands Forum 
Secretariat (PIFS), and by its Ambassador in Brussels.  
1.2.  The period since the last TPR has been an economically successful time for PNG, recording an 
average annual growth rate of 5.2 %, though growth remains unduly reliant on the fortunes of the 
extractives sector.  Growth is expected to return to a medium -term trajectory of 5.0 %, once the 
effects of recent natural disasters have passed.  PNG's hosting of Asia -Pacific Economic Cooperation 
(APEC) meetings throughout 2018 has provided an excellent opportunity for the country to raise 
global awareness of its economic and investment potential.  
1.3.  The review period has also been a significant time for  trade policy.  Firstly, the Government has 
continued implementation of a gradual MFN tariff reduction, completed in multiple phases between 
1999 and 2017.  This policy has understandably placed strain on the country 's manufacturing sector, 
and the Governmen t is preparing to conduct an evaluation to quantify the policy 's impact and decide 
what future action to take.  Secondly, the country 's first trade policy was published in 2017, providing 
a comprehensive framework for action to expand trade over the coming 15 years.  
1.4.  PNG has benefitted substantially from trade -related technical assistance over the course of the 
review period, and views the WTO as an important forum for discussing the ways in which technical 
assistance can help to integrate developing countrie s into the global economy.  The Government has 
chosen to highlight selected specific, present needs in the annex to this report  in order to stimulate 
further dialogue with development partners.  
2  ECONOMIC OVERVIEW  
2.1  Performance  
2.1.  Papua New Guinea has achieved strong yet fluctuating growth since 2010, averaging 5.2 %, 
but varying from 0.3 to 15.4 % annually.  Such variation is not unusual in small, vulnerable economies 
and has largely been due to price and volume changes in key export commodities (including oil and  
gas) and the wider economic impact of natural disaster and recovery.  Growth peaked above 10 % in 
2014 and 2015, due to large increases in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production.  
2.2.  Real growth in 2018 was at its lowest level in a decade, due to low commodity prices and the 
effects of a major drought in 2017 and a magnitude 7.5 earthquake in the centre of the country 
in February 2018, with multiple large aftershocks.  Reconstruction will take around four years, though 
the effect on GDP growth in 2019 is expected  to be marginal.  
2.3.  PNG has maintained a surplus in goods trade throughout the review period, partly offset by a 
deficit in services trade.  The overall current account has been in surplus since 2014.  Consumer prices 
rose an average of 5.5 % per year between 20 12–17, with a slight rise in 2018 due to APEC -related 
spending.  
2.4.  Papua New Guinea has established its credentials as a venue for major international meetings 
in recent years.  In mid -2016, Port Moresby hosted the 8th Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Summi t 
of Heads of State and Government, only the second time this meeting has been held in the Pacific 
(after Fiji in 2002).  In February 2018, PNG hosted the 21st Melanesian Spearhead Group 's Leaders ' 
Summit.  And throughout 2018, the country has been hosting A PEC meetings, culminating in the 
Economic Leaders ' Meeting on 18 November, which focused on improving digital connectivity and 
inclusive economic growth.  WT/TPR/G/387 /Rev.1  • Papua New Guinea  
 
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  2.2  Macro Policy Developments and Priorities  
2.5.  The Government 's planning framework for economic development and macroeconomic stability 
is coordinated through the Medium Term Fiscal Strategy (MTFS, 2018 –22). This document brings 
together three elements of macroeconomic management, the Medium Term Revenue Strategy 
(MTRS), the Medium Term Debt Strategy (MTdS) and the Expenditure Strategy.  Within this 
framework, by 2022 the Government aims to increase non -grant revenue to 14 % of GDP and reduce 
expenditure to 16 % of GDP.  Over the same period, Government debt will be reduced to 30 % of GDP 
and the non -resource primary fiscal balance will reach zero.  To ensure adequate provision for 
economic development, two thirds of primary expenditure will be allocated to enablers of the Medium 
Term Development Plan (see section 3  ), and public investment will rise from less than 4.0 to 5.5 % 
of GDP by 2022.  
2.6.  Considering the impact of large fluctuations in resource -related income on the economy and 
public finances , particularly due to LNG, the Government is in the process of establishing a sovereign 
wealth fund (SWF).  This will smooth variations in revenue, save for the future and ensure consistent 
funding is available to support the social and economic development  objectives of the country.  The 
SWF will be invested offshore but will be fully integrated within the national budget and fiscal 
framework.  Legislation governing the SWF has already been passed.  
2.7.  Many of the country 's aspirations to rebalance its economy fr om informal agricultural 
employment and enclave resource extraction to a diversified, modern economy are encapsulated in 
the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Policy and Master Plan, covering the 15 years from 2016 -30. 
The Government plans for the establis hment and growth of SMEs to drive formal employment from 
290,000 to 2 million and SME value addition from 10 to 50 % of GDP by 2030.  This will be achieved 
by improving the enabling environment, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, ensuring access to 
busine ss finance, building infrastructure and providing training and support services.  
2.8.  An immediate priority under the MTRS is a comprehensive review of tax incentives, which will 
be conducted in 2019 with assistance from the World Bank.  The review aims to ratio nalize incentives 
to improve the business environment and raise revenue, and to improve the tax expenditure 
statement for the 2020 budget.  
2.3  Outlook  
2.9.  The economy is expected to rebound in 2019, with the economic effects of the 2017 drought 
and 2018 earthquake  largely complete, and due to the resolution of the foreign exchange imbalance, 
and new spending in preparation for mining and petroleum projects.  This last is expected to spill 
over into the non -mining sector, boosting construction, transport, storage and  manufacturing.  
Between 2019 and 2023, the economy is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.0 %. 
2.10.   As the effects of APEC dissipate, inflation is expected to ease to 5.4 % in 2019, with a marginal 
increase in 2020 as new mining and petroleum projects  move into the early construction phase.  
Increased employment is likely to maintain upward pressure on prices.  
2.11.   The Government increased external borrowing in 2018 –19. Along with an increase in mining 
and petroleum tax collections, dividends and royalties, this is expected to resolve the foreign 
exchange shortage in 2019.  
3  DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWOR K 
3.1.  Papua New Guinea 's strategic development framework comprises three levels.  
• At the top level, Vision 2050 establishes the country 's overall strategic direction over the  
40 years from 2010 to 2050.  
• Long-term planning is further elaborated in the Development Strategic Plan (DSP), 
covering the 20 years from 2010 to 2030.  WT/TPR/G/387 /Rev.1  • Papua New Guinea  
 
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  • More immediate planning is captured in the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP), the 
current third editio n covering the 5 years from 2018 to 2022 to coincide with the current 
electoral cycle.  
3.2.  This traditional planning process is augmented by the National Strategy for Responsible 
Sustainable Development (StaRS, now in its second edition), which complements the  longer -term 
strategy documents by emphasising sustainable solutions to PNG 's development challenges.  
3.3.  Vision 2050 is based on seven strategic focus areas, which are:  
• Human capital development, gender, youth and people empowerment  
• Wealth creation  
• Institutio nal development and service delivery  
• Security and international relations  
• Environmental sustainability and climate change  
• Spiritual, cultural and community development, and  
• Strategic planning, integration and control.  
3.4.  The DSP builds on this foundation with greater policy detail, in particular fleshing out trade and 
economic policy priorities, including macroeconomic and financial management, goods sector 
strategies, policies on land, infrastructure and services, and the  concept of economic corridors, 
prioritising the provision of infrastructure to zones suitable for rapid private sector development.  
Ten potential regions are identified for development as economic corridors.  
3.5.  Planning for the election cycle is captured in the MTDP, which is separated into two volumes; 
volume one provides the policy rationale and strategies for implementation of the plan, while volume 
two provides a detailed logframe for each sector priority, including indicators, targets and budget 
requirem ents. Each action is delegated to a sector plan or specific policy to ensure ownership and 
accountability.  Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is detailed throughout.  
Alongside the MTDP, the Development Cooperation Policy (DCP, now in i ts second edition) follows 
the same time horizon and aims to address a historical lack of coordination amongst development 
partners and between development partners and the Government by establishing principles and 
strategies to guide more effective collab oration.  The MTDP is structured around six areas of activity: 
the economy, the social sector, infrastructure, law and order, governance, and cross -cutting issues 
including gender, youth, climate change and natural disaster management.  
4  TRADE POLICIES AND P RIORITIES  
4.1  Trade Policy  
4.1.  During the review period, trade policy planning in PNG has undergone a step change.  Long-term 
support from the European Union (EU) and an extensive consultation process have culminated in 
the country 's first National Trade Policy (NTP) in 2017, which will coordinate Government action for 
the next 15 years.  The NTP places equal weight on domestic and international trade, recognising the 
remaining deficits in national infrastructure, the business environment and mechanisms to support  
trade facilitation.  Despite the substantial work that remains for the Government to do in these areas, 
the NTP is fundamentally private -sector -led, outward looking, and cognisant of the benefits of a 
liberal international trade regime.  The NTP 's main obje ctives are:  
• To signal the country 's openness to international partners ; 
• To improve market access for exports ; 
• To protect consumers through enforced standards and intellectual property rights ; WT/TPR/G/387 /Rev.1  • Papua New Guinea  
 
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  • To create a conducive business environment ; 
• To identify new expo rt markets and improve access through new agreements ; 
• To advocate for the elimination of large subsidies that distort international trade ; 
• To ensure that trade -related sectors can access necessary financial services ; and 
• To mainstream PNG 's small and mediu m enterprises (SMEs) into international trade.  
4.2.  The Government recogni zes that the publication of the NTP, although important, is only the 
first of many steps needed to fully exploit available trading opportunities.  The next priority is to 
implement the NTP 's vision for the institutional structure that PNG needs to coordinate and 
implement its trade policy effectively and coherently.  The NTP envisages that trade functions will be 
drawn together into a new National Trade Office (NTO), capable of spearheading policy 
implementation and coordinating trade -related dialogue across Government and with the private 
sector.  Planning for this transition is well under way.  
4.2  Tariff Liberalization  
4.3.  The Government firmly believes that opening up trade through tariff liberali zation can unlock 
growth and economic development, and to that end has pursued a policy of managed unilateral tariff 
reduction since 1999, which has reduced duties considerably.  However, it is incumbent on any 
government to improve the business environment in step with liberali zation, to ensure that the 
private sector is not exposed to competition from firms that have better access to critical 
infrastructure or lower costs.  Alongside liberali zation, the Government has striven to extend ICT and 
transport infr astructure, improve education and lower security costs faced by firms.  In some cases, 
such as where competitor firms have access to heavily subsidi zed energy costs, the Government 
cannot provide like treatment for domestic companies.  
4.4.  Substantial progress h as already been made.  However, through ongoing dialogue, the private 
sector has raised concerns that the pace of liberali zation has, in certain sectors, progressed more 
quickly than the resolution of firms ' challenges.  The Government is committed to eviden ce-based 
policy -making in matters of such importance, and has therefore decided to take stock of its recent 
liberali zation, and evaluate the impact on trade, the private sector, and poverty, following earlier 
reviews in 2003 and 2007.  This evaluation will go ahead as soon as resources are available.  Future 
policy regarding MFN tariffs and priority investment climate improvements will be informed by the 
evidence established by this review.  
4.5.  As liberali zation has exposed the private sector to increased competi tion, the effects of trading 
partners ' export subsidies have more frequently caused damage to domestic manufacturing.  PNG 
repealed its previous trade defence legislation in 1997, shortly after joining the WTO, but recent 
liberali zation has drawn attention to this gap in the legal framework.  Consequently, the Government 
is currently preparing an Anti -Dumping and Countervailing Measures bill to provide protection in line 
with the country 's existing obligations.  
4.3  Intellectual Property ( IP) Rights  
4.6.  The Intellectual Property Office of PNG (IPOPNG) is responsible for registration and protection 
of intellectual property.  The Office is currently working on amendments to the existing legal 
framework, in order to eliminate remaining incompatibilities with TRIP S among other objectives.  
Generous assistance has recently been provided by the EU to develop a new IP strategy.  The 
Government remains committed to implementing this strategy as soon as funding is available to 
meet its cost implications.  
4.7.  So far, IPOPNG 's activities have centred on IP registration, with limited ability to support 
enforcement.  Domestic prosecution of IP -related infractions requires that personnel within the police 
and court system have a baseline understanding of the technicalities of intell ectual property, and 
this has proved a substantial hurdle to effective enforcement.  A concern is that staff turnover within 
other agencies means that such training needs to be provided on an ongoing basis, rather than a 
one-off donor intervention.  In the m edium term, IPOPNG seeks to develop the in -house capacity to WT/TPR/G/387 /Rev.1  • Papua New Guinea  
 
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  provide such training to partner institutions, perceiving this to be the only sustainable solution, but 
is likely to need technical assistance to develop this capability.  
4.8.  In addition to tradition ally legislated areas, IPOPNG 's mandate includes the protection of 
traditional knowledge (TK).  This has been a particular concern during the review period, since 
perceived misuse of Papua New Guinean traditional designs has posed a substantial threat to th e 
livelihoods of many low -income informal workers in household enterprises, particularly women — 
making this a pressing concern in terms of poverty reduction and gender equality.  As with other 
countries, PNG has found it challenging to translate traditiona l knowledge principles into effective 
legislation, but has been actively involved in collaborative attempts to solve this problem through a 
regional work programme with other Pacific islands during the review period.  At present, an 
important priority is to  undertake a stocktake of the most important national areas of traditional 
knowledge.  Funding has been the main constraint in progressing with this task, and it is an area in 
which donor support could be well used.  
4.4  SPS and Biosec urity  
4.9.  PNG is relatively fre e of many of the pests and diseases that have harmed agricultural 
production in other countries.  The National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA) 
is the competent biosecurity statutory institution and authority created in 1997 by an act  of 
parliament.  NAQIA is mandated under the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority 
Act 1997 to provide sound scientific quarantine and inspection services to assist and encourage 
agricultural production by minimising the risk of introduci ng exotic animal and plant pests and 
diseases.  
4.10.   Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures are important in relation to animal, plant, and 
human health.  SPS measures act as a medium to enhance trade facilitation with other economies 
through compliance.  PNG's SPS measures are set in compliance with the regulations and guidelines 
of the WTO SPS Agreement, World Organisation for Animal Health, International Plant Protection 
Convention and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.  
4.11.   The biosecurity measures that NAQIA set s play a significant role to protect animal health, 
plant health, human health, biodiversity, and to encourage agricultural production and promote 
economic growth.  
4.12.   NAQIA is responsible for maintaining the integrity of agricultural production and the 
livelihoods it supports.  It does this by setting import requirements based in risk assessments and 
international standards.  
4.13.   Up until now, NAQIA 's enforcement capability has been limited to points of entry.  The new 
Biosecurity bill has been developed to res olve this limitation by providing NAQIA behind -the-border 
enforcement powers, in addition to other new functions and powers.  The Government intends to 
enact this bill in the near future.  
4.14.   A second priority is to continue to facilitate trade by improving onl ine access to SPS approvals.  
In 2013, with the support of Australia, NAQIA first introduced an SMS -based system for reporting 
animal disease outbreaks.  Unfortunately,  this system is no longer working, and donor assistance 
would be useful in restoring it.  Improvements in the use of new technology to facilitate interaction 
between NAQIA and the public have been ongoing.  At present, the Authority is establishing an 
electronic process to apply for import permits, including online payment and approval.  At a late r 
stage, this system will be extended to cover phytosanitary and health (sanitary) certificates.  Work 
has begun and is progressing, but full implementation would be greatly accelerated if donor 
assistance were to be made available.  NAQIA also needs support  in the form of training and 
upgrading facilities to complement its current moderni zation process.  
4.5  Standards  
4.15.   The National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (NISIT) is PNG 's national 
standards body and TBT National Enquiry Point . It is a full member of the Asia Pacific Metrology 
Programme, Asia Pacific Legal Metrology Forum, Asia Pacific Labora tory Accreditation Cooperation 
and the Pacific Area Standards Co ngress, and a corresponding member of the International WT/TPR/G/387 /Rev.1  • Papua New Guinea  
 
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  Standards Organi zation, International Or ganization for Legal Metrology and International Bureau of 
Weights and Measures . NISIT represents PNG in the APEC Standards and Conformance 
Subcommittee.  
4.16.   NISIT is currently concentrating on a national survey and gap analysis of quality infrastructure 
in order to develop the country 's first national quality policy.  This process is receiving support from 
the UK 's Department for International Development and the British Standards Institute through the 
Commonwealth Standards Network.  The Gov ernment intends to implement this policy through a 
substantial increase in the staff of NISIT and relocation to more suitable facilities.  This will enable 
the organi zation to more fully fulfil its mandate of proactively scrutinising imports and documenting  
the quality of selected exports.  
4.17.   One of the most persistent challenges NISIT has faced over the review period has been to 
build the capacity of staff in the face of persistent turnover.  International assistance has been 
appreciated in providing training t o standards officials, but it has been difficult to retain staff 
members that are often highly valued by international extractives companies, who are able to offer 
higher salaries than civil service positions.  The Government appreciates the patience shown by 
international organi zations and development partners in providing repeated training in the face of 
such regular setbacks.  It is unclear how this challenge can be sustainably addressed in the longer 
term.  
4.18.   In the future, a range of additional reforms and aspects of organi zational development will be 
required.  Once a new national quality policy is in place, it is likely that the legislative framework will 
need to be reviewed and updated.  Construction of a permanent, Government -owned laboratory and 
investmen t in appropriate technical equipment will be necessary.  Ultimately, the goal is to implement 
a quality system according to ISO/IEC 17025, with a view to achieving international recognition of 
declared calibration and measurement capabilities within the fra mework of the CIPM mutual 
recognition arrangement . Investment in technical training will also be required for implementation 
of a quality system according to ISO 17011 for Accreditation Bodies and ISO 17021 for Certification 
Bodies enabling international r ecognition of  the declared scope of accreditation and certification 
within the framework of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation and the International 
Accreditation Forum.  
5  SECTORAL TRADE POLIC IES 
5.1  Agriculture  
5.1.  Agriculture remains of central  importance to the economy, not least because 82 % of 
Papua  New Guineans farm, whether commercially or to provide their households with food.  The 
sector represents 24% of GDP  (including forestry products) and 13 % of exports.  
5.2.  The main commercial products gro wn are oil palm, coffee, cocoa, coconut, rubber and tea.  
These commercial crops are supported by statutory authorities such as the Cocoa and Coconut 
Research Institute , the Coffee R esearch Institute, the Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) , 
and the Oil  Palm Research Association , who provide research and development and extension 
services.  
5.3.  During the review period, agriculture has been governed by the National Agriculture 
Development Plan 2007 –16 (NADP).  The main objectives of the NADP were to reduce cos ts and 
improve quality, to increase the incomes of people dependent on agriculture, to improve 
sustainability and to increase the opportunity for women to make decisions in agriculture.  
5.4.  Since 2011, the Government has been working with the World Bank to imp lement the 
Productive Partnerships in Agriculture Project, to improve the livelihoods of cocoa and coffee farmers 
by increasing yield and improving product quality.  Additional financial support has been generously 
provided by the International Fund for Agr icultural Development (IFAD) and the EU.  This has been 
a great success, increasing farmers ' income by averages of 61 (cocoa) and 76 % (coffee), and 
increasing average cocoa yield by 330 %. 
5.5.  The Government is currently reviewing the success of the NADP and consulting widely in order 
to develop an updated agricultural policy for the sector over the next ten years.  Important steps to WT/TPR/G/387 /Rev.1  • Papua New Guinea  
 
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  improve the productivity of the sector are among the emerging priorities, including renewed 
investment for rehabilitation of aging plantations and the creation of a nationwide network of new 
nurseries.  
5.6.  An important component of the Government 's current plans is a partnership between the FPDA 
and IFAD to support fresh  produce value chains.  It is expected that implementation will begin later 
this year.  
5.2  Forestry  
5.7.  Forests cover approximately two thirds of PNG, and the country is among the twenty countries 
with the largest area of forest cover in the world.  The country is a  globally significant exporter of 
tropical round logs.  Timber products are exported almost exclusively to economies in the APEC 
region, totalling 3.2 % of the country 's exports.  
5.8.  The Government is concerned with the sustainability of the timber industry, and  has set a 
target in the MTDS to reduce the rate of harvest of primary forests from 9 to 5 % per year by 2022, 
and levies export duties of up to 42 % on logs.  However, it has also allowed increased log exports in 
the short term, to allow the country to incre ase its revenue to sustain the economy.  The Government, 
as a matter of policy, will continue to strive towards the downstream processing of all logs prior to 
export.  At present, roughly 10 % of the annual timber harvest is processed onshore for domestic 
consumption and timber products export. The country is endowed with a vast forest resource and 
Government recogni zes this and has used it to improve the socio -economic conditions of its rural 
majority, with due environmental safeguards.  
5.9.  PNG has increased its participation in the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), 
the APEC Experts Group on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade (EGILAT) , and in bilateral meetings 
with important timber consuming countries like Australia.  This advocacy reflects the dire need of 
PNG to address non -tariff barriers and restrictions on market access.  The Government also 
encourages all stakeholders to achieve an equitable income from a sustainable forestry sector.  To 
this end it has recently made an important decision to levy a charge on all log harvest, in order to 
fund the PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA) to carry out its mandated function.  This, amongst other 
things, will enable PNGFA to increase its promotional activity, research and to improve connectivity 
to internationa l markets, where 90 % of the country 's annual log harvest is consumed.  
5.10.   The Government supports efforts by the timber industry in pursuing forest and timber product 
certification, either through third -party certifying organi zations or through market -driven s tandards, 
as is the case with Australia.  The country -specific guidelines signed with Australia, the biggest timber 
products market for PNG, is a manifestation of this endeavour.  It is also the desire of the Government 
to maintain independent monitoring of the most important timber commodity exports, and has 
maintained SGS (PNG) Limited, a Swiss surveillance company, to monitor log exports since 1994.  
5.11.   The PNGFA has collaborated with the EU, United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture 
Organi zation (FAO) and UN C ollaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and 
Forest Degradation (UN -REDD) to develop a multi -purpose inventory of forest resources.  The 
Authority has also enhanced the capacity of its Forest Resource Information Management System 
(FRIMS) through the introduction of remote sensing and geographical information tools, with support 
from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is helping the country to address 
REDD+.  The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Res earch  (ACIAR) has further assisted 
in improving understanding of the means for increasing recovery for processed wood products.  
UN-REDD has also enabled the Government to partner with various international and regional 
organi zations to build a centrali zed web-based application that will collect, store and process forest 
information, to enable more informed management decisions.  The system is called the Decision 
Support System (DSS).  It is envisaged that the DSS and the FRIMS will support PNG 's Timber 
Legali ty Verification System (TLVS), which is currently in development. This will allow for PNG forest 
products to be traced form market to origin. The Government has partnered with the UN FAO to 
complete the DSS.  
5.12.   An ongoing corporate review aims to develop the National Forest Service to improve the 
delivery of Government directives which aim to increase participation in the forest industry by forest 
owners and Papua New Guineans.  The Government calls on Members and development partners to WT/TPR/G/387 /Rev.1  • Papua New Guinea  
 
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  work together to make up-to-date market information available to enhance informed decisions on 
the trade of PNG forest products.  
5.3  Fisheries  
5.13.   PNG is deeply committed to the sustainable management of its fisheries resources, both to 
maximi ze their commercial value and to preserve t heir biodiversity for generations to come.  Having 
successfully managed the rehabilitation of bigeye tuna and b êche-de-mer in collaboration with 
regional fisheries management organi zations (RFMOs), all of PNG 's assessed stocks are now healthy.  
The Governmen t is fully committed to the eradication of illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) 
fishing, though traditional ( 'kastom ') community systems of stock management and protection are 
every bit as valid and effective as those within the formal legal system.  The Parties to the Nauru 
Agreement (PNA, eight Pacific islands including PNG that cooperate to manage tuna stocks) now 
require all purse -seiners to carry observers, as part of renewed efforts to tackle IUU fishing.  PNG has 
the largest force among the PNA, w ith 300 observers.  The Government sees the achievement of 
SDG 14.6 as critical for the health of the world 's fisheries, and consequently the successful 
achievement of a fisheries subsidies agreement is currently its highest priority at the WTO.  
5.14.   The Govern ment supports a range of additional sustainability measures, such as the 
International Seafood Sustainability Foundation 's (ISSF) partnership with industry to reduce the 
negative effects of lost fish aggregating devices (FADs) by improving their biodegrada bility.  In 2014, 
the Conservation and Environmental Protection Authority (CEPA) introduced a new policy on 
protected areas, including the creation of marine sanctuaries and locally managed marine areas.  
Enabling legislation is currently in draft form.  
5.15.   Government support for the nation 's fisheries remains important for a number of reasons.  
Most importantly, at the artisanal and subsistence level, fisheries are a critical source of food and 
livelihoods for some of the poorest Papua New Guineans.  The ability o f Government to support 
fishing activity to reduce food poverty, and to help in the transition out of subsistence activities and 
in to the beginning stages of commerciali zation is fundamental to the nation 's development.  This 
has been recogni zed by a wide range of development partners — in recent years the World Bank, 
Asian Development Bank (ADB), EU and JICA have all generously provided support to programmes 
of these types.  Such programmes also have a long history, dating back to support provided by IFAD 
and funded by Germany in the 1970s.  
5.16.   Papua New Guinea has not had the financial resources to provide large subsidies to develop 
a commercial fishing fleet.  All of the foreign commercial fleets operating in the country 's waters 
continue to benefit from such historical subsidies.  A prohibition on future subsidies, which fails to 
acknowledge the present and ongoing benefits of past subsidies, would lock PNG into an unfairly 
disadvantaged position within its own waters for decades to come.  In coming negotiations , it will be 
vital for more developed fishing nations to acknowledge this reality if an equitable outcome is to be 
reached.  
5.17.   Attracting investment in onshore processing of fish is a high priority.  The Government sees 
this as a way of creating well paid empl oyment, especially for women, who are underrepresented in 
the formal economy, but form a large majority of workers in the fish processing sector.  The country 
currently has six facilities producing tinned tuna and cooked loins, employing some 20,000 people.  
A major current challenge is that tariff preferences for tinned tuna into the EU market, negotiated 
under the interim EPA, have been eroded through the extension of duty -free access to large 
competitors under GSP+.  This has seriously undermined the overal l value of the agreement to the 
PNG economy, and placed the industry under threat from international competitors who benefit from 
subsidies that the Government of PNG cannot match.  
5.4  Manufacturing  
5.18.   Manufacturing contributes just 6 % of GDP, yet accounts for ap proximately half of all formal 
sector jobs.  Important subsectors such as textiles and fish processing predominantly employ women, 
ensuring that overall, manufacturing is not as male -dominated as in many other countries.  
Manufacturing growth is therefore ce ntral to reducing poverty by increasing formal sector 
employment.  Many of the Government 's policy priorities for manufacturing are discussed elsewhere 
in this report, such as improving standards and SPS infrastructure, strengthening IP protection, WT/TPR/G/387 /Rev.1  • Papua New Guinea  
 
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  reintrod ucing trade defence legislation, improving the business environment and streamlining the 
administration of importing inputs.  The Government also promotes consumption of local products 
through its "PNG made " initiative, and supports exports abroad through trade fairs and research on 
foreign markets.  
5.5  Services  
5.19.   The Government 's work on financial inclusion  has resulted in major achievements over the 
review period.  In 2013, the Government established the Centre fo r Excellence in Financial Inclusion 
(CEFI) as the industry apex body for promoting financial inclusion in the country.  CEFI developed 
the country 's first National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS), with a second edition published in 
2016 to plan for the period to 2020.  CEFI coordinates the NFIS through collaboration with the Bank 
of PNG (the central bank), government agencies, financial service providers, development partners 
and seven industry working groups.  In just the first two years of the strategy, 1.2 million bank 
accounts were opened — covering 15 % of the population — of which 35 % were opened by women.  
The next phase aims to create an additional 2 million accounts, of which half are to be opened by 
women to address the earlier imbalance.  Australia is currently funding the ADB to implement the 
Microfinance Expansion Project, through which 200,000 people have received financial literacy 
training, of which 47 % are women.  
5.20.   Information and communications technology  (ICT) has the potential to transform eve ry 
economy, but is particularly powerful for small island developing states (SIDS) as a means to 
circumvent the costs of remoteness and distance from major markets.  At present, with inadequate 
international fibre optic capacity, PNG relies heavily on satel lite capacity to carry remaining traffic.  
Internet services and international calls are consequently not competitive with other developing 
economies.  This will be addressed through the Coral Sea Cable System (CS2), a 20  Tbps fibre optic 
cable connecting Sy dney to Port Moresby in PNG and Honiara in Solomon Islands.  The system is 
being funded jointly by the three governments.  Equipment manufacture is underway and the cable 
is expected to be in use by 2020.  
5.21.   The National Information and Communications Technolog y Authority (NICTA) is the statutory 
ICT regulatory authority, and selectively regulates competition and pricing in the market.  The 
Authority recogni zes that adequate regulation is just as important as investment to ensure that 
businesses and consumers ful ly benefit from improved services and lower costs as a result of the 
new connection.  Another Government priority is to improve connectivity within the country, a 
considerable challenge given PNG 's mountainous terrain and 600 islands.  The next step will be to 
construct a coastal submarine cable to connect major coastal population centres to the capital.  
5.22.   The Government is currently preparing e-commerce  legislation to create an enabling 
environment for business, with the intention to accede to the UN Economic and Social Commission 
for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) Framework Agreement on Cross -border Paperless Trade.  This 
will contribute to the creation of the country 's single window, in line with Article 10.4 of the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement (TFA).  
5.23.   Papua Ne w Guinea has enormous untapped potential in the tourism  sector.  Since 2017, the 
Government has been partnering with the World Bank in a Tourism Sector Development Project 
(TSDP).  This is updating the country 's tourism policy, including detailed planning fo r two priority 
tourism hubs, in Milne Bay and East New Britain.  The TSDP includes substantial investment in 
infrastructure, upgrading attractions, facilities, signage and access.  New policy and infrastructure 
development is informed by a landmark international visitor survey and demand assessment report 
in 2017, led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) with support from Australia and 
New Zealand.  The Government is also working on a new investment guide for the sector, in particular 
to enc ourage greater foreign investment.  
5.6  Mining, Oil, and Gas 
5.24.   Whilst the Government 's long -term strategy aims to reduce reliance on extractive industries, 
at present GDP, export earnings and the Government 's fiscal position are heavily influenced by oil, 
gas and  metal prices, and the timeline of extractive operations.  WT/TPR/G/387 /Rev.1  • Papua New Guinea  
 
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  5.25.   Mining has diversified over the review period, with exports of nickel and cobalt beginning 
in 2012.  However, at roughly the same time, a decade of strong exploration, investment and high 
commodity p rices came to an end, and recent years have seen a cyclical downturn.  
5.26.   The oil and gas industry has followed a similar price -driven cycle, with prices falling 
dramatically from a 2014 peak, with a resulting reduction in exploration and investment.  Oil 
produ ction began in 1991, but has been in steady decline since 1993; the first refinery opened 
in 2005.  In contrast, the prospects for continued expansion of the gas industry are strong, with 
three  new projects at an advanced stage of planning, promising increa sed opportunities for 
downstream processing into liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).  There is also an opportunity to initiate 
the first  offshore development of natural gas reserves in the coming years.  The Government is 
currently working on a third-party access  policy, which would enable development of smaller 
stranded fields near to the existing petroleum pipeline by enabling other parties to access existing 
pipeline and processing facilities.  
5.27.   Vocational education has been a concern in recent times, as the lack  of certification of local 
courses to international standards has meant that many extractives operations have required an 
undue proportion of expatriate labour.  The Government has been discussing ways to improve 
courses and obtain international certificati on with development partners, including the EU 
and Australia.  
6  TRADE NEGOTIATIONS A ND RELATIONSHIPS  
6.1  Multilateral Trading Arrangements  
6.1.  PNG is represented at the WTO by the Geneva office of the PIFS, and by the Government 's 
Ambassador in Brussels . Since the l ast review, two Pacific Members (Solomon Islands and Vanuatu) 
have made the important step of establishing their own missions in Geneva, providing permanent 
representation to the WTO.  The Government understands the great benefits of a permanent office 
to facilitate active and meaningful participation in multilateral negotiations, though for a small island 
developing state, the ongoing financial burden of doing so is considerable.  To work towards the 
long-term objective of establishing a permanent presence, the Government aims to build the 
experience of its trade staff by seeking opportunities for officials to participate directly in negotiations 
on a temporary basis.  France and Ireland have kindly offered funding for one official to work within 
the PIFS Gene va office for ten months in 2019, which will be of enormous benefit in this regard.  
6.2.  Given tight limitations on its  representation in Geneva, PNG has to be highly selective in its 
engagement with negotiations, and is unable to participate in either the rang e of subject areas or 
with the depth of involvement it would like.  At mentioned previously, fisheries subsidies negotiations 
are currently the top priority, but the Government also takes great interest in special and differential 
treatment (S&DT), trade an d the environment, trade and natural disasters, and agriculture.  
Meaningful engagement has not so far been possible in the e -commerce initiative stemming from 
the MC11 Joint Statement on E -commerce, although the Government aims to follow future 
development s more closely.  The Government is reluctantly not able to follow various other 
plurilateral initiatives that are gaining momentum and potentially of interest, in areas such as 
investment facilitation, domestic regulation and micro, small and medium enterpr ises (MSMEs).  
6.3.  As a SIDS, PNG  is part of the informal small, vulnerable economy (SVE) grouping, and has 
been supportive of  the Work Programme on Small Economies  launched in 2002 . The Government is 
disappointed by the latter 's loss of momentum in recent years.  Considering the specific risks and 
challenges faced by SIDS and SVEs, the Government believes that the logic of this Work Programme 
remains acutely relevant to current negotiations.  
6.4.  PNG notified its Category A commitments under the TFA in 2016, and deposited its instrument 
of acceptance of the TFA last year.  
6.5.  PNG has noted Members ' renewed interest in ensuring transparency through existing 
notification obligations within the context of ongoing discussions on WTO reform.  The Government 
devotes consider able administrative resources to its notification requirements and has been 
proactive in seeking assistance from the Secretariat, which has been of great help in navigating a 
somewhat convoluted array of obligations.  The Government faces an ongoing dilemma  in choosing WT/TPR/G/387 /Rev.1  • Papua New Guinea  
 
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  the extent to which it should neglect active negotiations and the implementation of domestic trade -
related policy in order to provide notifications, which often appear to have limited relevance to small 
economies and consequently provide littl e useful information to the international community.  
6.6.  In the interests of maximising transparency while minimising the burden on small, capacity 
constrained administrations, PNG would like to explore how the TPR process could be modified to 
provide direct a ssistance in the preparation of countries ' notifications on request.  The Government 
also believes that this is an area in which development partners could work with small countries to 
explore the use of ICT systems to streamline certain notification proced ures. In future negotiations, 
it would be helpful if Members could remain mindful of the impact of notification requirements on 
the smallest administrations, and consider the inclusion of de minimis  thresholds to ensure that the 
burden placed on countries is proportionate to the value of information sought.  
6.2  Regional  
6.7.  The Melanesian Spearhead Group  comprises Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, 
Fiji and the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLINKS) of New Caledonia.  Over the last 
26 years,  the trading relationship between the group has become increasingly close through 
three  successively comprehensive free -trade agreements.  The first agreement, entering in to force 
in 1993, was based on a positive list approach, replaced in 2005 with a good s agreement using a 
negative list approach that had much greater coverage.  In 2016, this integration process culminated 
in the finali zation of a comprehensive agreement on goods, services, investment and labour mobility 
(MSGTA3).  Two countries are already trading under the new agreement, and PNG will make the 
necessary arrangements to join them shortly.  
6.8.  PNG signed an interim Economic Partnership Agreement  (EPA) with the EU in 2007, to 
succeed unilateral Cotonou trading preferences.  Although intended to be a  bridging arrangement 
that would be replaced by a more comprehensive agreement, offering benefits for more Pacific 
islands, further negotiations have at present been discontinued.  In preparation for the UK 's expected 
departure from the EU, the Government h as been discussing with the UK how best to transition 
existing arrangements to ensure no disruption to trade on either side.  Perhaps the most important 
benefit for PNG of joining the interim EPA was the ability to export tinned tuna to the EU duty free, 
securing an estimated 20,000 jobs, mostly for women.  Unfortunately, since the agreement was 
signed, such preferences have been eroded due to the extension of duty -free access to major 
competitors under the EU 's GSP+ scheme.  Given the UK 's strong understandin g of PNG 's situation, 
it is hoped that arrangements can be extended in a way that protects the development interests of 
the country and communities that rely on employment in fish processing facilities.  
6.9.  The Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement  (PICTA ) provides  PNG with duty -free access 
to most of the Pacific islands.  It was ratified by the Government in 2003.  It was extended through 
a protocol on trade in services in 2012, but the latter has not yet been signed by PNG.  
6.10.   Despite participating in negotiations of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic 
Relations  (PACER ) Plus, a free -trade agreement covering the Pacific island countries plus Australia 
and New Zealand, on completion of negotiations the Government has decided against signing.  While 
the agreement made encouraging progress in covering labour mobility and development 
cooperation, it was unfortunate that countries ' intentions in these areas could not be subject to 
binding disciplines, as were applied to island coun tries' defensive interests.  The Government also 
had unresolved concerns relating to MFN treatment and infant industry protection.  In the absence 
of PACER Plus, PNG continues to access Australia and New Zealand through the non -reciprocal 
South  Pacific Regio nal Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SPARTECA).  
6.3  Bilateral  
6.11.   Papua New Guinea has had a bilateral trade agreement with Australia  since 1977, which was 
updated in 1991.  In light of the inability of PACER Plus to meet PNG 's trade needs, the Government 
is currently conducting research to identify and quantify opportunities from a potential newly 
negotiated bilateral agreement with Australia.  Australia is generously providing funding for this 
analysis.  WT/TPR/G/387 /Rev.1  • Papua New Guinea  
 
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  7  CONCLUSION  
7.1.  Papua New Guinea remains deeply committed to the multilateral trading system.  Binding, 
enforceable rules and open markets remain the best route to economic development, job creation 
and peaceful cooperation.  The Government anticipates that the WTO has a crucial role to play in 
fulfilling the SDGs,  not least SDG 14.6.  
7.2.  The complexity of multilateral negotiations poses  difficulties for capacity constrained 
administrations, but bilateral or regional engagement can only ever deliver a fraction of the benefits 
of a global framework, and small countries a re particularly vulnerable to the effects of a weakened 
WTO.  PNG is ready to engage in the global conversation about how the multilateral system needs to 
change to continue to meet the needs of its Members throughout the 21st Century.  
7.3.  Many developing count ries, not least SIDS and SVEs, remain insufficiently integrated into 
global trading systems.  Geographical isolation, supply -side and administrative capacity constraints, 
and vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change remain profound challenges t hat threaten 
PNG's further marginali zation.  However, support from other Members in recognising these 
challenges and working in partnership to mitigate their effects will continue to ensure that the WTO 
system works effectively to advance the interests of a ll Members.   WT/TPR/G/387 /Rev.1  • Papua New Guinea  
 
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  ANNEX   
TRADE -RELATED TECHNICAL AS SISTANCE  
The Donor Cooperation Policy (2018 –22) lays out principles governing effective development 
assistance for PNG.  The DCP aims to improve alignment between donor programmes and 
Government planning priorit ies. The Government takes responsibility for clear communication of the 
country 's priority needs.  To this end, this annex briefly summari zes areas in which trade -related 
technical assistance could be well used, either immediately or in the short -to-medium term.  Many 
of these needs are discussed in the main report within the context of existing plans and policy 
priorities.  
PNG has undergone substantial tariff liberali zation in recent years.  Despite the benefits of these 
reforms, there is evidence of strain o n domestic manufacturing industry, in light of continuing cost 
disadvantages, partly due to competitors ' domestic subsidy programmes.  The Government has 
prepared terms of reference  for an evaluation of the impact of the tariff reforms , which is 
needed in o rder for decisions to be made regarding the future of the programme.  Donor assistance 
would be helpful in funding this evaluation.  
The Government is currently preparing a new intellectual property  strategy with the support of 
the EU.  Donor assistance is li kely to be needed to support implementation of this strategy.  The 
IPOPNG is also seeking to develop the capacity to provide training to law enforcement and the justice 
system in order to develop the sustainable ability to enforce IP rights law domestically . Donor 
assistance will be needed to establish this capability.  
The Government 's next priority in advancing the protection of traditional knowledge  is to perform 
a stocktake of national areas of TK.  Donor support for this work would be appreciated.  
NAQIA  is already working to  speed up the provision of import permits, phytosanitary certificates and 
health (sanitary) certificates  by developing online systems to replace traditional approvals 
processes.  Donor support could greatly accelerate this process.  Donor  assistance could also usefully 
support SPS and biosecurity  through a new laboratory building; improved lab testing capability 
for animal production diseases, zoonotic diseases, and public health food and water testing; 
improved quality assurance; lab bios afety; improved dialogue mechanisms with industry and the 
agricultural sector; regional and international networking; reliable and credible cost recovery 
services; lab upgrading for plant health, and training in plant identification and disease diagnostics ; 
and quarantine and food safety inspection training.  
PNG is in the process of establishing its first national quality policy to improve technical standards . 
Implementation of this policy is likely to require a range of support from donors, including in 
providing metrology and testing equipment and accompanying training.  In the medium term, NISIT 
will need to move to a Government -owned facility to ensure long -term continuity in testing and 
certification.  
In agriculture , PNG has a large number of aging plan tations that have suffered from a lack of 
investment.  Recent work by IFAD and the EU has demonstrated the large potential gains from 
rehabilitation, increasing farmers ' incomes by more than half on average.  This is an approach that 
could readily be more wi dely replicated.  The Government also seeks to establish a nationwide 
network of nurseries, for which donor support would be helpful.  
In mining , there are many opportunities for the domestic economy to reap greater spillover benefits 
from the sector.  There is a need to improve vocational education to meet international standards 
acceptable to large mining operations to ensure that more Papua New Guineans benefit from 
well-paid formal sector employment.  
In forestry , accessible, up -to-date information on marke t prices for round logs and timber would 
be of great benefit to communities negotiating contracts with logging companies , and to the 
Government in tackling transfer pricing . International collaboration would be necessary to develop 
such a project.  Donors c ould assist the Government in its ongoing development of the TLVS, an 
online system providing public access to traceability information on wood originating in PNG.  WT/TPR/G/387 /Rev.1  • Papua New Guinea  
 
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  PNG has benefitted from substantial formal sector employment provided by the fish processing 
industry, which has done a great deal to mitigate the gender disparity in formal -sector jobs across 
the economy.  In the last ten years, the industry has benefitted from preferences on tinned tuna 
under the interim EPA with the EU.  The erosion o f these preferences under GSP+ has created a 
precarious situation for the industry.  Donors are invited to consider what support could be provided 
to improve the competitiveness of the industry.  The UK in particular may have the opportunity to 
provide at le ast part of the original benefits offered by the interim EPA under future trading 
arrangements.  
In order to improve PNG 's engagement with the fisheries subsidies  negotiations, it would be 
extremely helpful if capital -based fisheries experts could attend Ne gotiating Group on Rules (NGR) 
meetings in Geneva on a more regular basis.  It would also be useful for Pacific coordination if capital -
based fisheries officials had more opportunities to meet with their counterparts within the Pacific 
Group, to discuss eme rging negotiating issues and to find ways to accommodate other Members ' 
proposals.  Donor assistance to facilitate the logistical costs of such travel and meetings would be 
greatly valued.  
The Trade Division of the Department of Commerce and Industry is res ponsible for market research  
to help export -ready manufacturing  firms identify target markets and understand critical consumer 
requirements.  However, this function is currently underdeveloped, due to a lack of capacity and an 
absence of resources for staff  to complete attachments with PNG 's overseas missions to gather 
evidence.  Donors could consider providing staff training or supporting research projects that would 
build skills through practical experience.  
The new CS2 international optical fibre connectio n will dramatically improve ICT services in PNG.  
However, for the benefits to be felt by the poorest and most vulnerable communities, additional 
infrastructure investment will be needed to improve domestic connections to Port Moresby.  Donor 
investment in t his area could have a profound impact on isolated rural communities.  
PNG believes that Members and donors could reduce the burden of WTO notifications  on small 
economies, without significant loss of value to the international community.  Members could explo re 
adjustments to the TPR process itself, so that work already routinely done by the Secretariat could 
be made more useful to countries through direct assistance in the preparation of notifications.  
Donors could consider the creation of ICT solutions to st reamline certain notification processes, 
especially for SIDS.  
As a non -resident Member, PNG has relied on supporting research  institutions such as the 
International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD), to remain abreast of 
developments and  understand the implications of proposed rules for the domestic economy.  In light 
of the closure of ICTSD in late 2018, the Government is grateful that some of its programmes are 
being transitioned to other institutions.  PNG urges donors to continue to con sider how the valuable 
contribution that ICTSD made to developing Members in Geneva could be replaced with similar 
support through alternative mechanisms.  
The Government is very grateful to donors who have funded internships  enabling capital -based 
officials to experience WTO negotiations directly and help to ensure that PNG 's interests are 
represented through the Geneva office of PIFS.  In the long term, building this experience within the 
PNG trade staff will prepare the Gove rnment to establish effective permanent representation in 
Geneva.  Future offers of support of this kind would be greatly appreciated.  
__________