Everything is Bigger in Vava'u [1]
Friday, May 27, 2011 - 17:47. Updated on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 10:06.
Photos by Sione Vuki
A PASIFIKI Trade Fair Vava'u Lahi 2011 held in Neiafu for the first time on May 19, featured over 30 product and service booths, as part of the Forum Trade Ministers Meeting.
The one-day event was held at the New Marina under a theme
"Everything is Bigger in Vava'u" recognised the spirit of the people in Vava'u.
Most booths showcased Tongan products, including handicrafts by the Vava'u Handicrafts Association and other local artists such as Leonati Arts and Tae Guttenbeil.
Local manufacturers from Tongatapu participating included Nishi Trading, with services by GIO Recycling, All Print Tonga, Melie mei Langi and TCC.
The Chairman of the Pasifiki Trade Fair Committee, Kaitu'u Fotu, said the trade fair had previously been held in Tongatapu and they have always dreamt of making it bigger so they brought it to Vava'u.
He said four Pacific Islands Trade and Investments Trade Commissioners from China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand attended the fair. This was a chance for businesses to meet key people and display their wares, he said.
Australia
Hon Richard Marles, the Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs in an address at the trade fair, highlighted the importance of trade for development and prosperity.
He said Australia was working with Tonga and other Pacific countries to promote trade including through the ongoing Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations PACER Plus negotiations.
To date, Australia had committed more than $11 million pa'anga to date to assist Pacific Islands countries prepare for and participate in trade negotiations, including for PACER Plus.
Australia is also working with Tonga bilaterally to promote trade.
Horticulture
He said that Australia is helping Tonga to take advantage of primary sector trade opportunities through a Pacific Horticulture Agriculture Market Access Program, covering Tonga, Vanuatu, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Fiji.
He said the program, PHAMA to be formally launched in Tonga on June 1 was designed to provide practical and targeted assistance to help resolve market issues of a regulatory nature.
Some cases would help establish formal access arrangements for new export products and in others manage market access issues associated with existing trade, he said.
Trade was not just about goods, like those on display, but also about services and Australia recognised development benefits that can flow when people from Pacific countries like Tonga have employment opportunities in Australia, he said.
He noted Australia's Pacific Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme designed to contribute to skills, knowledge development and remittance flows in participating countries like Tonga and also assist Australian employers meet seasonal demand for labour.