The Minister for Trade & Economic Development Hon. Dr. Viliami Uasike Latu and his Ministry launched the first National Standardisation Roadmap for Tonga today, 19 June, at the Liku’alofa Centre, Tofoa. This roadmap will help to implement quality standards for development in Tonga, in partnership with Pacer Plus and Standards Australia.

"This roadmap is a Government move to set quality standards for development, in services, products, and systems, that we create for trade," said Hon. Dr Latu. "The Standardisation Roadmap makes sure that the quality of import and export goods are suitable for consumers."

"It will also encourage a competitive environment in Tonga especially in the business field," he said.

The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Mr. Brek Batley, said that the roadmap would enable businesses to engage in trade with confidence, knowing that what they’re buying or selling meets upon an agreed criteria.

The Roadmap sets out a 10-year vision for Tonga. It seeks to increase Tongan exports by supporting market access and consumer trust in Tongan products.

It also aims to protect Tongan consumers from low quality or unsafe imported products, protect and promote a resilient natural environment, and build reliable infrastructure, including for energy, construction, and health.

Hon. Dr. Latu noted that “the Roadmap is an investment in Tonga’s national capability and will position Tonga to meet our national objectives as well as international obligations around standards and trade”.

The roadmap is a collaboration between the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development and Standards Australia, with support from the PACER Plus Implementation Unit.

Standards Australia’s Chief Development Officer, Adam Stingemore said at the launch, “this project is a foundational step to develop Tonga’s national standards infrastructure that will allow Tonga to develop and adopt standards to support their national objectives.”

The Ministry and Standards Australia will continue their collaboration under PACER Plus for the next phase of implementation.