Tonga and Forum Island Countries (FIC) are one step closer to benefitting from improved economic growth, investment and employment opportunities for Pacific Islanders under the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus Agreement.

Negotiations between FIC’s and Australia and New Zealand that was held in Port Vila, Vanuatu on 21 October progressed with the latter two countries agreeing to provide development assistance to Pacific Islands to be able to effectively implement the agreement and to provide greater access to their seasonal workers programs.

Australia has agreed to lift the cap under their Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) and to expand the program across the entire agricultural and accommodation sectors in selected locations in Australia.

New Zealand has agreed to increase the amount of workers under their Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) Scheme from 8000 to 9000 and expand the program across the construction and aquaculture sectors.

Chairman of the Office of the Chief Trade Adviser (OCTA), Mr Milner Tozaka, representing Forum Island Countries interests, said that PACER Plus negotiations would be wrapped up by the middle of next year, crediting the progress to the recent commitments.

Mr Tozaka stated there were a few more issues to be resolved before finalising the agreement.

Tonga’s representative on PACER Plus, the Minister of Commerce and Labour, Hon Pohiva Tu`í`onetoa, and Vice-chairman of the OCTA, noted that the the Forum Island Countries have not benefitted from international trade and that this is the first time the Pacific region as a whole has the opportunity to finalise the agreement to facilitate their greater participation in international trade.

Hon. Tu`i`onetoa said that there was an expectation that PACER Plus would live up to its potential and deliver real benefits to the Pacific Islands and their people who are yearning for enhanced living standards.

Currently, the OCTA Governing Board is meeting to discuss developments in the negotiations and the future of OCTA. Elsie Fukofuka of Tonga's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is attending.