FTMM to progress PACER Plus
PRESS STATEMENT (59/09)
16TH OCTOBER 2009
FORUM TRADE MINISTERS TO PROGRESS REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENT AT BRISBANE MEETING
Forum Trade Ministers will meet in Brisbane, Australia, on 23 - 24 October to progress negotiation of the PACER Plus regional trade agreement.
The decision to commence negotiations of the agreement was made by Forum Leaders at their meeting in Cairns in August.
The Special Trade Ministers Meeting was instigated by Forum Leaders who directed Trade Ministers to meet and discuss a framework for PACER Plus negotiations including:
• timelines,
• identification of issues common to all Forum Member Countries, and
• the issues in respect of which a Chief Trade Advisor may negotiate.
“This meeting marks the commencement of formal work to progress the PACER Plus regional trade agreement,” says Tuiloma Neroni Slade, Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat.
“The decision to move forward with negotiations was made by Leaders in Cairns at the recommendation of Ministers. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat looks forward to playing its part in progressing this important and historic agreement.
“I believe that PACER Plus will play an important role in furthering regional economic integration and helping to create opportunities for economic growth and prosperity in Forum Island Countries. PACER Plus in its broad objectives will set new development paths by providing Member Countries with agreed and necessary tools to create new market opportunities, and thereby increase the prospects for employment and prosperity throughout the Pacific.”
ENDS.
For more information, contact Dr Chakriya Bowman, Director, Economic Governance, on phone (679) 331-2600 and e-mail chakriyab@forumsec.org.fj
16TH OCTOBER 2009
FORUM TRADE MINISTERS TO PROGRESS REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENT AT BRISBANE MEETING
Forum Trade Ministers will meet in Brisbane, Australia, on 23 - 24 October to progress negotiation of the PACER Plus regional trade agreement.
The decision to commence negotiations of the agreement was made by Forum Leaders at their meeting in Cairns in August.
The Special Trade Ministers Meeting was instigated by Forum Leaders who directed Trade Ministers to meet and discuss a framework for PACER Plus negotiations including:
• timelines,
• identification of issues common to all Forum Member Countries, and
• the issues in respect of which a Chief Trade Advisor may negotiate.
“This meeting marks the commencement of formal work to progress the PACER Plus regional trade agreement,” says Tuiloma Neroni Slade, Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat.
“The decision to move forward with negotiations was made by Leaders in Cairns at the recommendation of Ministers. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat looks forward to playing its part in progressing this important and historic agreement.
“I believe that PACER Plus will play an important role in furthering regional economic integration and helping to create opportunities for economic growth and prosperity in Forum Island Countries. PACER Plus in its broad objectives will set new development paths by providing Member Countries with agreed and necessary tools to create new market opportunities, and thereby increase the prospects for employment and prosperity throughout the Pacific.”
ENDS.
For more information, contact Dr Chakriya Bowman, Director, Economic Governance, on phone (679) 331-2600 and e-mail chakriyab@forumsec.org.fj
