Forum Trade Ministers Meeting
Forum Trade Ministers Meeting
22-06
PRESS STATEMENT
16 Jun 2006 04:32:12
FORUM TRADE MINISTERS MEETING
Pacific Islands Forum Trade Ministers will meet in Nadi, Fiji on 21 June to consider trade-related issues and capacity building measures for Forum Island Countries (FICs).
These include issues related to the World Trade Organisation and how to strengthen the position of island countries at the WTO. Discussions on the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) will include a progress report on the Regional Trade Facilitation Programme (RTFP). The meeting will also discuss issues linked to the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Agreement (SPARTECA) and intellectual property rights.
Developments on the SPARTECA will focus on the Rules of Origin which aims to make it easier for Pacific Island exporters to send their products into the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Ministers will consider developments in relation to the PACER and progress of the Regional Trade Facilitation Programme (RTFP) which is funded by Australia and New Zealand under the PACER.
Ministers will also consider strategies to build up trade capacity-building for the FICs and other proposals. The decisions by Ministers will set directions for regional trade activities over the coming year.
The meeting of Trade Ministers from all 16 Forum member states immediately follows a meeting in Nadi on 19-20 June of the 14 Pacific ACP Trade Ministers.
Forum Secretariat, Suva
16 June 2006
22-06
PRESS STATEMENT
16 Jun 2006 04:32:12
FORUM TRADE MINISTERS MEETING
Pacific Islands Forum Trade Ministers will meet in Nadi, Fiji on 21 June to consider trade-related issues and capacity building measures for Forum Island Countries (FICs).
These include issues related to the World Trade Organisation and how to strengthen the position of island countries at the WTO. Discussions on the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) will include a progress report on the Regional Trade Facilitation Programme (RTFP). The meeting will also discuss issues linked to the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Agreement (SPARTECA) and intellectual property rights.
Developments on the SPARTECA will focus on the Rules of Origin which aims to make it easier for Pacific Island exporters to send their products into the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Ministers will consider developments in relation to the PACER and progress of the Regional Trade Facilitation Programme (RTFP) which is funded by Australia and New Zealand under the PACER.
Ministers will also consider strategies to build up trade capacity-building for the FICs and other proposals. The decisions by Ministers will set directions for regional trade activities over the coming year.
The meeting of Trade Ministers from all 16 Forum member states immediately follows a meeting in Nadi on 19-20 June of the 14 Pacific ACP Trade Ministers.
Forum Secretariat, Suva
16 June 2006
