FICs to Benefit from Trade Capacity Building Project
PRESS STATEMENT (100/07)
13th August 2007
FICs TO BENEFIT FROM TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECTS
Trade capacity building in Forum Island Countries (FICs) is to benefit from several proposed new initiatives and current projects being implemented in the region.
These proposals and initiatives include the Commonwealth Secretariat proposal on the selection, training and advancement of trade professionals in Commonwealth countries (including the 3 non-commonwealth FICs – Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands and Palau); the Forum Secretariat led initiative in conjunction with the USP Graduate School of Business to develop the Pacific Center of Entrepreneurship and Trade (PCET); the Hub and Spokes Project and the Young Professionals Programme under the Pacific Plan.
Forum Trade Ministers who met in Port Vila, Vanuatu recently supported the Commonwealth Secretariat (ComSec) proposal which looks at developing institutional capacity in the area of trade policy formulation, management and trade negotiations through a programme of specialized postgraduate training and career development to prepare candidates for senior positions in trade administrations.
The proposal consists of 3 components: Post graduate training; Internship programmes with regional and international institute such as the WTO, ComSec or UNCTAD; and employment with various National ministries.
In line with the ComSec proposal, Ministers supported the initiative to establish the Pacific Center of Entrepreneurship and Trade (PCET). The project to foster developments in trade expertise and develop the analytical capacity of trade officers and private sector practitioners for trade policy formulation and application.
The proposed programme is also the driving force behind the development of trade negotiating skills of the Pacific and covers a broad spectrum of areas in trade and entrepreneurship. At present the programme is still ‘work in progress’ until proper funding becomes available.
The other initiative, the Hub and Spokes Project is to promote effective participation of ACP States in international trade negotiations and capacity building.
The overall development strategy of the project is directed towards Training and sensitizing key stakeholders in ACP countries on major trading policy issues, supporting ACP countries in formulating, negotiations and implementing trade policies and supporting ACP countries in developing national and regional consultative networks. Ministers noted the H&S Project and expressed appreciation to the EU and the Commonwealth Secretariat for funding and sporting the project within the region.
The Trade Ministers urged the EU and the Commonwealth Secretariat to continue the Hub and Spokes Project after 2008 and increase the resources available to the Project in the region so that increased support can be given to PACPS/FICs at both the regional and national levels, including through the appointment of additional Trade Policy Analysts, as the project is scheduled to terminate at the end of 2008.
They further commended the Forum Secretariat for initiating the Young Professionals Programme under the Pacific Plan. The Programme introduces young professionals from the region to the work undertaken by the Forum Secretariat and encourages regional capacity building.
The Ministers thanked the Australian Government for supporting the young professional programme at the Forum Secretariat.
(ENDS)
For more information, contact Dr Roman Grynberg, Director of the Forum’s Economic Governance Programme on phone 679 331 2600 or email: romang@forumsec.org.fj
13th August 2007
FICs TO BENEFIT FROM TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECTS
Trade capacity building in Forum Island Countries (FICs) is to benefit from several proposed new initiatives and current projects being implemented in the region.
These proposals and initiatives include the Commonwealth Secretariat proposal on the selection, training and advancement of trade professionals in Commonwealth countries (including the 3 non-commonwealth FICs – Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands and Palau); the Forum Secretariat led initiative in conjunction with the USP Graduate School of Business to develop the Pacific Center of Entrepreneurship and Trade (PCET); the Hub and Spokes Project and the Young Professionals Programme under the Pacific Plan.
Forum Trade Ministers who met in Port Vila, Vanuatu recently supported the Commonwealth Secretariat (ComSec) proposal which looks at developing institutional capacity in the area of trade policy formulation, management and trade negotiations through a programme of specialized postgraduate training and career development to prepare candidates for senior positions in trade administrations.
The proposal consists of 3 components: Post graduate training; Internship programmes with regional and international institute such as the WTO, ComSec or UNCTAD; and employment with various National ministries.
In line with the ComSec proposal, Ministers supported the initiative to establish the Pacific Center of Entrepreneurship and Trade (PCET). The project to foster developments in trade expertise and develop the analytical capacity of trade officers and private sector practitioners for trade policy formulation and application.
The proposed programme is also the driving force behind the development of trade negotiating skills of the Pacific and covers a broad spectrum of areas in trade and entrepreneurship. At present the programme is still ‘work in progress’ until proper funding becomes available.
The other initiative, the Hub and Spokes Project is to promote effective participation of ACP States in international trade negotiations and capacity building.
The overall development strategy of the project is directed towards Training and sensitizing key stakeholders in ACP countries on major trading policy issues, supporting ACP countries in formulating, negotiations and implementing trade policies and supporting ACP countries in developing national and regional consultative networks. Ministers noted the H&S Project and expressed appreciation to the EU and the Commonwealth Secretariat for funding and sporting the project within the region.
The Trade Ministers urged the EU and the Commonwealth Secretariat to continue the Hub and Spokes Project after 2008 and increase the resources available to the Project in the region so that increased support can be given to PACPS/FICs at both the regional and national levels, including through the appointment of additional Trade Policy Analysts, as the project is scheduled to terminate at the end of 2008.
They further commended the Forum Secretariat for initiating the Young Professionals Programme under the Pacific Plan. The Programme introduces young professionals from the region to the work undertaken by the Forum Secretariat and encourages regional capacity building.
The Ministers thanked the Australian Government for supporting the young professional programme at the Forum Secretariat.
(ENDS)
For more information, contact Dr Roman Grynberg, Director of the Forum’s Economic Governance Programme on phone 679 331 2600 or email: romang@forumsec.org.fj
