Pacific Ministers seek catalyst for economic growth [1]
Tuesday, October 27, 2015 - 17:58
A complex four-days Pacific regional meeting to discuss a theme of “Building Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a Catalyst for economic growth”, began in Avarua, Cook islands today, 27 October.
The regional meeting is attended by economic ministers, trade ministers, government officials, and private sector representatives from Pacific Islands Forum countries.
Forum Economic and Trade Ministers will also have a session to discuss the Framework for Pacific Regionalism, and their role in the implementation of the regional priorities agreed to by the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders at their annual meeting last month, September.
There will also be a joint Economic and Trade Ministers Meeting with the Private Sector “Addressing Economic Development in the Pacific Islands through the Private Sector.”
A Private Sector Dialogue Workshop with representatives of national private sector organisations and industry representatives from Forum Island Countries will deliberate on issues which affect micro, small and medium enterprises in the region.
A public seminar will be held on Building Economic Resilience and Enhancing Private Sector Development in the Pacific.
A dialogue with Development Partners on the implementation of the Ministers’ decision will be held on the final day of the meeting 30 October.
Pacific Trade Ministers
In a separate session Pacific Trade Ministers will have discussions, focusing on “Supporting Private Sector for increased Trade, Investment and Development” for the Pacific Islands starting today.
The objective of the four-days meeting, 27-30 October is to increase the engagement of the Private Sector in the Pacific Island economies, and to identified regional approaches for Private Sector to address its economic concerns.
Tonga is represented at the Cook Islands’ meeting by Hon. Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, the Minister of Labour, commerce, Police, Prison and Fire Brigade. Accompanying Dr Tu’I’onetoa are Kalotia Fotu from the Ministry of Labour and Commerce; Eljie Fukofuka from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; ‘Ainisi Bloomfield for the Ministry of Revenue Collection and Custom; and Kesomi Siale, from Tonga Chamber of Commerce.