As Tonga enters the last stage of its accession to the World Trade Organisation this month, a workshop to help familiarize and educate Tongans on International Trade Policies was held in Nuku...’alofa on November 2-3.

Dr James Gosselin, the Regional Trade Policy Advisor of the Pacific Islands, Forum Secretariat, said the purpose of this workshop was to give all stakeholders within Government and in the civil society a chance to exchange ideas and share experiences with Government in ways that Tonga can move forward when it comes to trade negotiations. It also informed them on basic aspects of International trade, trade agreements, recent developments in regards to trade that are relevant to Tonga.

Paulo Kautoke, the Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Commerce, said the consultation workshop helped to explain to the people of Tonga issues and aspects of trade policies and agreements signed by Tonga, and future trade agreements to be signed by Tonga, and especially now that Tonga is at the last stage of its accession to the World Trade Organisation.

Paulo said that by bringing stakeholders together they could use them to sett up a local committee to provide inputs and contributions to Government in what they think Tonga should do in trade negotiations.

At present because there is little understanding of trade issues and it is hoped that this kind of consultation workshop will help people become more aware on the issues, said Paulo.

The one and a half day workshop conducted by Dr Gosselin was attended by Government Departments including the Ministry of Labour and Commerce, Central Planning Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Prime Minister...’s Office, and from the civil society was the Tonga Chamber of Commerce, Tonga National Youth Congress and Tonga...’s Council of Churches.