Tonga's largest trade mission to attend Pacific Trade Expo [1]
Monday, February 11, 2008 - 17:54. Updated on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 - 12:18.
Tonga will be sending its largest ever trade mission of over 30 businesses to the 2008 Pacific Trade Expo to be held in Auckland on March 5-6.
Lee Miller, the Secretary of Tonga New Zealand Business Association, said today that 31 local businesses have signed up for the Expo with around 60 people attending making it the largest trade mission from Tonga.
The team will be lead by the Tongan Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele, the Minister of Transport Hon. Paul Karalus and Minister of Labour and Commerce Hon. Lisiate 'Akolo.
Lee said this is the second time Tonga has attended the Bi-Annual Expo whose aim is to achieve market growth for both New Zealand and Pacific Island businesses by way of mutual 'two-way' trade and investment.
Tonga will showcase its products and services in 11 booths, including retailers, the agricultural sector, manufacturers, handicrafts, tourism establishments and services, to an expected 2,000 trade visitors.
Funding
"The New Zealand High Commission has assisted us by purchasing the first two booths, amounting to NZD$2,900 and the rest of the nine booths will be funded through a $25,000 fund from the Tonga Government available through the National Economic Development Council."
Lee said the funding would go to Cabinet for final approval on Wednesday, February 13.
She clarified that participants will pay their own travel expenses but other expenses such as hiring of chairs, tables, and lap top projectors will be subsidised by the funding from the council.
Exposure
"What this Expo will do is give Tonga exposure, exposing to the rest of the South Pacific the many amazing services we do here, and our ability to create products and goods that can be exported overseas."
The Tonga Expo team will also have the opportunity to showcase their services at the popular Pasifika Festival that is expected to draw in over a quarter of a million people on March 8 at Western Springs.
Lee said that some local cultural groups had signalled interest to join the festival but it will be confirmed later.
Tonga attended the first ever Expo in 2006 with 12 companies and four booths.
"It was very exciting to be there with other islands to see what they had to offer and what to network with potential suppliers and business counterparts," Lee added.
The Pacific Expo showcasing nearly all Pacific Island countries will be held at the new Waitakere Trusts Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand.