'TPP will give Brunei access to 11 markets'

'TPP will give Brunei access to 11 markets'

 

(DEBBIE TOO, BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN)

 

BRUNEI Darussalam will gain access to 11 markets through the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).

 

During a press conference at The Empire Hotel & Country Club, yesterday, Ambassador Michael Froman, the United States Trade Representative (USTR), said the pact would not only expand trade among countries in the region, but also the rest of the world.

 

"As supply chains in the region become stronger and involve more countries, such as Brunei and elsewhere, it makes them more competitive to compete on global stages," he said.

 

Froman did not specify which trade areas Brunei could expand, but said the TPP covers "a wide range of sectors".

 

"Everything is on the table, so it really depends on Brunei's own economic development, and what areas it decides to go into going forward," he said.

 

When asked about negative reactions from Japanese farmers to the TPP, Froman said that agriculture is an important part of the TPP agreement.

 

"It is important both in terms of opening markets, as countries decide to export products, but also in ensuring that countries put in place standards for food safety, which every country has the obligation to do for its people," he said.

 

The USTR said that countries should do so on a "scientifically based basis", so that it creates opportunities for farmers and agricultural communities around the region to work together.

 

Asked about the impact of the TPP on the generic medicines sector, Froman said the issue had not yet been addressed in the negotiations.

 

"We have been taking input from a wide range of stakeholders, including the generics industry, non-governmental organisations and pharmaceutical companies, but we have not yet resolved that issue."

 

He said that negotiations are nearing their final stages and should be completed this year.

 

"I'd say that we've made very good progress," he said, adding that the recent negotiations in Malaysia had significantly advanced "a number of chapters".

 

However, he said there are still a number of challenging issues to address.

 

The USTR said there will be a ministerial meeting in the next few weeks, which he hopes will see ministers come together to give guidance on political-level issues.

 

He said negotiators need to "flush them out and translate them into an agreement by the end of the year".

 

The trade agreement will put in place a number of stringent provisions that may require member countries to upgrade their legal infrastructure.

 

"I think all the TPP countries are approaching the negotiations and going chapter by chapter, determining if there are any changes they need in their system to meet the high standards that the TPP intends to create."

 

He said the TPP will introduce "new disciplines" among member countries.

 

"It is an ambitious agreement and we are still in negotiations, but every country is looking to see what it needs to do to bring itself into compliance," he said.

 

Froman added that there are "good discussions" going on with member countries as they work on each chapter and on what needs to be done.

 

In a bid to allay fears about the secretiveness of the TPP negotiations, he said in the United States stakeholders are invited to present their views to negotiators from the US and member countries.

 

"We in the United States consult very pro-actively with our congress ... at every stage in the negotiation process, including before we take on any proposals," he said, adding that the US also has an extensive array of advisory committees representing not just the interests of business but also the labour interests and non-governmental organisations.

 

"Each country does this differently, but in my view, this is among the most transparent processes of any international negotiation," he said, adding that it is very important for trade negotiators to understand the implications of what they are working on and to get appropriate feedback.

 

Yesterday, the ASEAN Economic Ministers and the USTR concluded consultations on ongoing work to implement the ASEAN-US Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement and Expanded Economic Engagement.

 

The ministers also agreed to look to conclude the Shared Principles for International Investments by the first ASEAN-US Summit in October.

 

(The Brunei Times, 22 August 2013)