6 May 2002

Solomon Islands wants to review aspects of MSG trade arrangements

5:38 pm on 6 May 2002

The Solomon Islands trade minister says his government wants to revisit the duty-free concessions granted to some imports from other countries of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

Edward Hunuehu says the economic crisis of recent years has reduced Solomon Islands' ability to export goods which has created an imbalance.

"the matter will be officially raised at the Melanesian Spearhead group by the Minister for Foreign Affairs expressing our desire to look at our situation in particular because we cannot afford to keep on losing important revenue."

Edward Hunuehu

The MSG is made up of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and New Caledonia