Forum Trade Ministers Meet In The FSM

Forum Trade Ministers Meet In The FSM

Boosting trade and investment to help increase growth and development in Pacific island countries will be the top priority for Forum Trade Ministers when they meet in Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia this week.

At their two-day meeting to be held 29 - 30 April, Ministers will discuss developments in the on-going PACER Plus trade negotiations as well as examine ways to increase exports and investment through the region’s network of Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commissions.

The Ministers will be briefed on the Office of the Chief Trade Adviser for Forum Island Countries, which has been established since their last meeting in October 2009, and will consider options for advancing the PACER Plus negotiations.

Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade said this week’s meeting was an important opportunity for Ministers to consider and map out strategies to foster trade and development in the region.

“One of the four pillars of the Pacific Plan adopted by the Forum Leaders in 2005 is the pursuit of economic growth in the region,” Mr Slade said. “Forum initiatives for economic development through trade will be the subject of discussions at the meeting.”

The Ministers will also receive an update on Aid for Trade programs in the region, including the Forum Secretariat’s trade-related work programme for the current period.

The meeting will not only consider trade-increasing strategies within the region but also international developments with important implications for Forum Member countries, including evolving rules governing recognition and protection of traditional knowledge and intellectual property. The Ministers will consider ways to ensure Forum countries continue to have representation at international trade discussions by canvassing future arrangements for the Forum Representative Office to the World Trade Organisation in Geneva.

“The discussions at the Forum Trade Ministers Meeting will look into specific initiatives for the region to build capacity for increased trade and economic integration among Forum Members,” Mr Slade said.

A meeting of Forum trade officials on April 27 and 28 will precede the trade ministers' meeting.

ENDS.

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