Forum Trade Ministers Meeting
PRESS STATEMENT 65/08
Thursday 17, July 2008 Forum Trade Ministers to convene Trade Ministers from the 16-member Pacific Islands Forum will meet in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, on 22nd July to deliberate on further steps to expand trade and economic relations within the region. Developments on the Regional Trade Facilitation Programme under the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER), implementation progress of PACER and an update on PACER-related studies will be discussed by Ministers. Ministers will also be considering issues related to the Forum World Trade Organisation Office in Geneva, and developments related to intellectual property rights. The preparatory meeting of Forum trade officials in support of the Ministers' meeting will be held in Rarotonga on 21st July. "Forum Members recognise that they must take advantage of opportunities that arise from greater regional economic integration," said Acting Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Feleti Teo. "Multilateral trade rules and prospects of increased trade activities within the Pacific region require that Forum Members proactively pursue enhancements in their trade and economic relations. "Further PACER-related developments will no doubt emerge as economically significant and Forum Members may find that increased dialogue and clear decisions that might emanate from the Forum Trade Ministers Meeting would have an important impact on the nature and direction of the Pacific trade agenda in the coming years," Mr Teo added. Ministers are expected to consider a proposal to appoint a Chief Trade Advisor to assist Forum Island Countries in their preparation for and during the conduct of future PACER Plus negotiations with Australia and New Zealand. Forum Members will also be updated on consultations regarding their trade agreements with other parties. (Ends) For more information, contact Mr Shiu Raj, Trade Policy Adviser on T: (679) 3312600 or email |
2008