22/11/2015
TRADE MINISTERS MEETING (TMM)
The 4th MSG Trade Ministers Meeting (TMM) was held on the16th of November 2015 at Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Center, Noumea, New Caledonia.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Management of Vanuatu, Honourable Willie Jimmy Tapangararua was the only Minister attending this meeting. Other MSG member countries were represented by their Ambassadors, Commissioners or Foreign Secretaries.
The TMM unanimously considered and endorsed the final draft of the MSGTA3 legal text on Goods and Services Chapter of the Trade Agreement which stretched out awareness opportunity to members particularly private sector to fully benefit from this Trade Agreement and its Development Strategy.
Prior to the endorsement the Honourable Minister made a five minutes presentation highlighting issues and expectation for the meeting.
The Minister have expressed his sincere sympathy with the French Government for the tragedy that took place in Paris which saw many innocent people lost their lives. He stressed the importance of economic empowerment to our young Melanesians to avoid harbouring disgruntled Melanesian groups who may be the cause of slowing down our economic growth.
In his closing remarks at the conclusion of the meeting the Minister again reiterated the importance of maintaining the vision of our forefathers, the pioneers of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. He said that while this meeting concluded with tangible outcomes and decisions that propel the common desire to increase MSG Trade and drive economic arm of the MSG to higher level we must not forget the main purpose of the establishment of the MSG which is to see the decolonisation of our Melanesian brothers.
Again this message has been echoed by the Minister and his counterparts to the paramount chief of New Caledonia at the Senate meeting held the next day in the morning. The outcome of that meeting was conveyed to the Congress of New Caledonia at a courtesy visit later in the afternoon held at the Congress House.
The Minister and his delegation attended a trade symposium yesterday and today he will visit trade fair show organised by the MSG secretariat where will be displayed products and services provided by Melanesian business houses within the region.
The Minister and his delegation is expected to return to Vanuatu on Sunday the 22nd of November 2015.