ABG welcomes PNG Cocoa Board’s decision on cocoa export levy fees
The Autonomous Bougainville Government welcomes the PNG Cocoa Board's decision to adjust the cocoa export levy fees on Bougainville.
PNG Cocoa Board representative in Buka, Moses Burin, made the announcement of this adjustment today during the swearing in of the members of the Bougainville Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (BACRA) Council.
“On the 15th of June 2024, we will be instructing all exporters to pay 70% back to BACRA to enable BACRA to operationalize, and in December this year, the PNG Cocoa Board will be instructing all exporters to pay 100% of the cocoa management levy to BACRA,” he said.
On behalf of the ABG, Acting Chief Secretary Kearnneth Nanei expressed strong support for this announcement, acknowledging past issues but highlighting that the National Government had taken full ownership of the matter during the last Joint Supervisory Body meeting in May, where it was resolved.
ABG Minister for Primary Industries Hon. Geraldine Paul, also announced future directives for exporting cocoa directly out of Bougainville. She said once BACRA is fully operational, a directive will be issued to all exporters on Bougainville to directly export cocoa from Bougainville.
This change would mean that Bougainville's cocoa would no longer be routed through Rabaul or Lae, but rather exported through the major ports of Kieta and Buka, allowing Bougainville to maintain control and manage its own cocoa.
Minister Paul also called on national government partners such as NAQIA, CUSTOMS, and the PNG COCOA BOARD to establish their presence in Arawa in anticipation of these proposed directives.
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