A strong economy is just as important as a robust and transparent democracy, said Gilbert Ullrich, the chairman of the New Zealand Pacific Business Council, at the launching on December 9 of the preparations for a Pacific Trade Expo to be held in Manukau, Auckland, New Zealand, in March.

The Pacific Trade Expo, the first of its kind aimed at encouraging two-way trade between New Zealand and 25 countries in the Pacific Region. The Expo...’s theme ...– ...‘Joining us together, by trade...’ speaks for itself.

At the launching it was announced that the Pacific Trade Expo will be held at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Center, South Auckland on March 13 and 14.

The event had the support of New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea during the Thirty-Sixth Pacific Islands Forum meeting in late October 2005, when she announced the proposed Pacific Trade Expo.

Gilbert issued a warning that if New Zealand companies did not make more effort to export goods into the Pacific, then they would "lose the race" to foreign competitors.

Present at the launching ceremony was Hon. Winnie Laban, the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment, and Associate Minister for Economic Development.