The Fiji-PNG Business Council believes the trade war threats from Papua New Guinea have been escalated by politicians from PNG.

Council President, Nouzab Fareed, believes Fiji, at this stage, has done nothing wrong and in terms of business, there is not much issue right now.

“We – the business side – have been fully supportive of both Governments. I don’t know which point it became escalated,” he said.

Mr Fareed said the issue with the Ox & Palm Corned Beef has been there for a number of years now.

He said this did not seem to be an issue earlier this year when PNG Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Richard Maru, visited Fiji.

Mr Fareed said both councils have done their best to sort out the problem, indeed having gone to much higher places.

“But there is not much we can do at this stage because it is a political issue in PNG,” he said.

Mr Fareed has assured that the council is supportive of any PNG company willing to export something to Fiji as is the PNG-Fiji Business Council supportive of Fijian exporters to PNG.

“The trade war threat is not a practical statement as both the countries need each other,” he said.

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