THE 2009 Pasifiki Trade Fair is back and opened in Nuku'alofa today promoting 88 booths of various goods and services exhibited by local and overseas participation under a theme "Niu Trade Beyond our Shores".

Tapu Panuve, the President of the Trade Fair Organising Committee in his welcome address said this year's theme looks specifically at the exporting of Tongan products.

It is anticipated over 10,000 visitors will visit the three-day display and promotion at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall.

Attracting exhibitors from New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Kiribati and the outer islands of Tonga including Vava'u and 'Eua, the Trade Fair Organising Committee said this year's trade fair is different from previous years since it holds for the first time business training courses for local managers and staff in areas of business, trade, marketing and promotion.

The fair showcases 88 booths of goods and services, majority of which are Tongan products, ranging from beautiful woven mats to carvings, handicrafts, jewelleries and furniture; products of the Tonga Artists Association, the Tonga Women Handicrafts Association and the Vava'u Handicraft Association. It was opened by the Minister of Information and Communication Hon 'Eseta Fusitu'a

Starting yeserday at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre was a Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation PICTA Symposium for local business owners. Ms Alana Billingham of Media Associates Management Ltd of New Zealand who spoke on making the most of PICTA deals and the art of negotiation.

From October 23-24 is a PICTA Business Training that sees more overseas experts speaking on issues of communication, marketing, branding, product design, labelling and packaging. They include Dr Jim Gosselin the Regional Trade Policy Advisor from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Bradley Walker Managing Director of Adrenalin Ltd a NZ Media Communications and TV Production Company and Mark McDonough the owner of Zarbo Delicatessen and Cafe, the 2008 winner of NZ Cafe of the Year.

 

 

Funding is provided by Tonga's Ministry of Labour, Commerce and Industries, the Pacific Island Private Sector Organisation and the European Union through the Pacific Integration Program.

The Pasifiki Trade Fair displays are open until 7pm daily until it concludes on Saturday, October 24 at noon.

The last Pasifiki Trade Fair was held in Tonga in 2007.