๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฒ๐ณ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ณ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ด-๐ง๐ฒ๐ฟ๐บ ๐ฉ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฃ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐๐น๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐จ๐๐
The Chief Trade Officer of the National Trade Office Mr. Richard Yakam, addressed participants during the CEPA Lockdown Consultation Program in Madang, reaffirming the Governmentโs commitment to advancing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Mr. Yakam acknowledged Secretaries, deputies, senior officials, and participants who travelled from across the country to attend the consultations, noting that their contributions were essential to shaping PNGโs long-term trade and investment direction. He also extends his welcome and thank the Secretary for the Department of Commerce and Development in the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Mr. Alex Kerangpuna for attending this very important consultation.
He outlined the background to the CEPA process, recalling that in July 2025 the Minister for International Trade and Investment Hon. Richard Maru, together with a PNG delegation, met with the UAEโs Minister responsible for Trade and investments. Those discussions explored the potential for a bilateral trade agreement and paved the way for the current CEPA negotiations. The UAE has since provided PNG with draft text comprising proposed articles, chapters, and requirements for the agreement.
Mr. Yakam stressed that Papua New Guinea must adopt a forward-looking approach, planning for the next 10 to 20 years. He urged agencies and technical teams to consider which PNG products and services have long-term potential in the UAE market, describing the UAE as a rapidly expanding global trade and investment hub.
โThis consultation is important because it allows us to identify what needs to be done,โ he said.
The Chief Trade Officer confirmed that the National Executive Council (NEC) has established a State Negotiating Team (SNT) to lead the CEPA process. To date, two national stakeholder meetings and one SNT meeting have been held. The SNT comprises the Department of Foreign Affairs, State Solicitorโs Office, Department of International Trade and Investment, Department of Prime Minister and NEC, Investment Promotion Authority, and the National Trade Office.
He noted that while CEPA will undergo periodic reviews, the main provisions represent a long-term commitment for the country.
โNegotiation and commitment to agreements such as CEPA require long-term dedication. What we decide now forms the foundation of a lifetime partnership,โ he stated.
Mr. Yakam encouraged participants to clearly articulate PNGโs priorities, sector strengths, and specific requests so they can be reflected in the agreement. The CEPA is made up of 14 chapters, divided into five technical working groups, and he emphasised that each group must identify both PNGโs defensive and offensive positions.
โThe technical working groups will tell us what to include, what to remove, and what opportunities PNG can offer to the UAE,โ he said.
Citing recent data, Mr. Yakam reported that PNG exported approximately USD 35.8 million worth of goods to the UAE in 2023, while imports from the UAE amounted to around USD 9.3 million.
Although these figures are modest compared to trade with major partners such as Australia and Japan, he highlighted that the UAE is emerging as a significant global economic player and could serve as PNGโs gateway to the wider Arab market.
He also reminded participants of the implications of the World Trade Organizationโs Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause, which may require PNG to extend any concessions offered to the UAE to other major trading partners such as Japan, China, and New Zealand.
Mr. Yakam further informed the gathering that PNGโs National Trade Policy (2017โ2032) is undergoing a mid-term review, which is being carried out parallel to the CEPA consultations. Two consultants supporting the review are in attendance at the workshop. He appealed to participants to provide them with the necessary information to strengthen the review process.
Mr. Yakam concluded by reaffirming the importance of collective effort, noting that the outcome of the consultations will directly influence PNGโs negotiating position and the future of the CEPA.
