PACER Plus partners with SPTO to promote sustainable tourism in the region
VAVA’U, Tonga – The PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) provided funding support and took part in the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) meetings held in Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga, from 20 to 22 October 2025. The three-day gathering included the SPTO Board of Directors Meeting, the Council of Tourism Ministers Meeting, and the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit 2025. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. The meetings brought together Pacific tourism ministers, national tourism directors, private sector representatives, and youth delegates to discuss how the region can build a tourism industry that is sustainable, inclusive, and resilient. As the Pacific’s only trade agreement that covers trade in services, PACER Plus played a vital role in highlighting the importance of trade in services, investment, and labour mobility — all critical enablers of a thriving and sustainable tourism sector. “Trade in services is the backbone of the global economy, accounting for over 60 percent of global GDP, and it’s growing faster than trade in goods. In the Pacific, tourism has become an engine of growth. But to stay strong, it needs to be sustainable, inclusive, and resilient. Creating the right policy environment is key, and this is where PACER Plus can make a real difference.” Dr Alisi Kautoke Holani, Labour Mobility Specialist and Trade in Services and Investment Lead at the PPIU Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. SPTO Chief Executive Officer Mr Christopher Cocker shared this view, thanking PACER Plus for their support and saying that tourism must continue to deliver more than economic benefits. “For tourism to fulfil its full potential across our Blue Pacific Continent, it must not only generate economic value but also reinforce our cultures, empower our youth, and protect our natural environment,” he said. “The policy landscape must support this — enabling connectivity, investment, community-led enterprises, and digital access. Together with partners like PACER Plus, we can ensure that tourism remains an engine of inclusive growth, resilience, and regional identity.” Through its participation, PACER Plus strengthened collaboration with SPTO, Pacific governments, and other development partners to enhance the enabling environment for trade in services and investment. The partnership also supports efforts to improve policy coherence and promote sustainable and digital transformation initiatives across the region. This engagement will contribute to the implementation of the Pacific 2030 Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework and advance shared regional goals under PACER Plus, helping to build stronger, more connected, and more resilient Pacific economies through sustainable tourism and inclusive trade. -ENDS- More articles like this one
New Biosecurity Equipment to Support Tonga’s Trade and Food Safety Systems
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga – Tonga’s ability to protect its people, environment, and trade is set to strengthen with the official handover of vital biosecurity and quarantine equipment funded by the PACER Plus trade agreement’s Development and Economic Cooperation (DEC) Work Program. The new tools — valued at AU$185,350 or TOP$288,003 — are designed to enhance Tonga’s sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) systems and include a digitised Quarantine Management Information System with IT infrastructure, a state-of-the-art fumigation chamber, protective gear, inspection tools, and an incinerator to safely manage imports and exports. Tonga’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests, Hon. Siosiua Moala Halavatau (left) and the Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit, Mr. Roy Lagolago signs the Contribution Agreement during the official handover in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. This equipment will help Tonga meet international SPS standards, ensuring continued and expanded access to key export markets such as Australia and New Zealand. Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests, Hon. Siosiua Moala Halavatau, welcomed the handover, describing it as a step forward for Tonga’s agricultural and trade sectors. “This is not just a handover of tools. It’s a handover of confidence for our farmers, for our exporters, and for our consumers. Tonga is committed to meeting the highest international standards for food safety and plant and animal health. With this support from PACER Plus, we are better equipped to ensure the quality and safety of our exports, protect our environment, and grow our economy.” Hon. Siosiua Moala Halavatau, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), Mr. Roy Lagolago, praised the collaborative nature of the initiative. “The PPIU is proud to partner with PHAMA Plus in delivering the fumigation chamber, an important piece of infrastructure that will directly benefit Tongan exporters. This partnership recognises the work that PHAMA Plus is already doing in Tonga and also avoids duplication of efforts and resources. The PHAMA Plus work in facilitating market access for Pacific produce to Australia and New Zealand is important and is a conduit for increased trade under PACER Plus,” said Mr. Lagolago. Tonga’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests, Hon. Siosiua Moala Halavatau (left) with the Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit, Mr. Roy Lagolago at the official handover in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Tongan exporters, many of whom face strict market access requirements, say the equipment couldn’t come at a better time. “Our work involves exporting watermelon to New Zealand. Previously, we faced significant challenges with fumigation, often having to collaborate with another exporter for this process. This new equipment is a considerable asset because its large fumigation chamber will greatly expedite the fumigation process, making our work much more efficient.” Ms. Seini Tu’ivai, Senior Assistant Secretary for the Exporter Division at Tonga’s Ministry of Trade and Economic Development The handover forms part of PACER Plus’s mission to build sustainable capacity across the region, ensuring Pacific Island countries are not only connected to markets but also equipped to meet the standards and seize the opportunities that come with it. -ENDS- More articles like this one
Tonga develops a Tourism Roadmap to revitalise and regenerate tourism development
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga – Tourism is a pivotal industry for Tonga generating over TOP18million of GDP in 2022 and is anticipated to grow to TOP88 million by 2033. The industry, however, has been severely affected firstly by the COVID-19 pandemic and then by the volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2022. The country is committed to revitalising tourism development guided by a new Tonga Tourism Roadmap for 2025-2030. Mr. Viliami Takau, CEO of Tonga’s Ministry of Tourism, speaking at the National Tourism Forum in Nuku’alofa. Tonga’s Tourism Roadmap will guide the revitalisation of the country’s tourism industry and unlock its potential to stimulate sustainable growth. Climate change adaptation is a fundamental element of the Roadmap to ensure that tourism growth is both resilient and sustainable, enabling Tonga to protect its natural assets and communities in the face of environmental challenges. Special attention is also given to e-commerce and investment as key drivers to elevate tourism development in the next five years. The development of the Roadmap commences with the National Tourism Forum organised by the Ministry of Tourism in Nuku’alofa on 13-14 March 2025 with participation by national tourism public and private sector representatives as well as regional and international tourism experts. “Tourism is a critical sector for Tonga’s economy, and the Roadmap will be instrumental in guiding the Ministry as well as key stakeholders on how best we can tap into potential of tourism to drive sustainable development for Tonga. The National Tourism Forum this week will be an opportunity to hear from our partners to ensure that the Roadmap is inclusive of all stakeholder priorities and reflects a coordinated strategy for growing the tourism sector in the next five years.” Viliami Takau, CEO of Tonga’s Ministry of Tourism Siosaia Moehau, President of the Tonga Tourism Association, also commented on the significance of the Roadmap. Her Royal Highness Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita, Patron of the Tonga Tourist Association, delivers the keynote address at the National Tourism Forum in Nuku’alofa. “Tourism’s potential to drive private sector led growth in Tonga is still very much untapped. Tonga’s vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters have only constrained our efforts to grow tourism. We are excited to work alongside the Ministry of Tourism and other key stakeholders, with the technical support of ITC, to develop this Roadmap and ensure its implementation.” Siosaia Moehau, President of the Tonga Tourism Association The Roadmap is an initiative of the Government of Tonga, supported within the framework of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus Development and Economic Cooperation Work Programme, funded by the Governments of Australia and New Zealand and managed by the PACER Plus Implementation Unit. It is developed with the technical support of the International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, fully dedicated to enhancing trade competitiveness and the economic transformation of MSMEs in developing countries. The National Tourism Forum is scheduled for 13-14 March 2025 at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre in Nuku’alofa. ITC’s partnership with PACER Plus and Tonga is integral part of its support to Pacific countries in diversifying their economies, strengthening MSMEs, boosting international competitiveness, promoting digitalisation and enhancing climate resilience. Sylvie Bétemps Cochin, Chief of the Office for Asia and the Pacific of ITC, praised the collaboration. “We are thrilled about this project and the significant value it brings to Tonga’s tourism industry and local communities. We are also proud to partner with PACER Plus to make this initiative a success,” said Ms. Bétemps Cochin. The Roadmap is expected to be finalised by October 2025, through participatory and unified approach, involving a series of consultations and workshops with partners across the public and private sectors. -ENDS- More articles like this one
Tonga’s Standardisation Roadmap to Enhance Quality and Trade
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga – The Consumer Protection and Fair-Trade Division under the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development in Tonga, in collaboration with Standards Australia, has launched the Tonga Standardisation Roadmap. This initiative aims to address the absence of a dedicated national standards body in Tonga and improve the quality of locally produced, imported, and local services. Currently, Tonga lacks a national standard body responsible for developing standards, leading to the adoption rather than the development of standards across sectors. This lack of coordination has resulted in inefficiencies and suboptimal quality of products available for consumption. Consequently, Tonga and other Pacific Island countries risk becoming dumping grounds for substandard products and appliances, while local exporters face technical barriers to trade in overseas markets. Tonga’s Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Hon. Dr. Viliami Latu (second from left) holding the Tonga Standardisation Roadmap with Australia’s High Commissioner to Tonga, H.E. Brek Batley (far right) and New Zealand’s Deputy High Commissioner to Tonga, H.E. Leitu Sa (far left). The Tonga Standardisation Roadmap, developed with financial support from the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus, was officially launched in Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, on 19 June 2024. The roadmap was created through extensive collaboration between Tonga’s Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED) and Standards Australia, incorporating input from over 80 stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. The launch event was attended by Tonga’s Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Hon. Dr. Viliami Latu; Australia’s High Commissioner to Tonga, H.E. Brek Batley; New Zealand’s Deputy High Commissioner to Tonga, H.E. Leitu Sa; Head of PACER Plus Implementation Unit, Mr. Roy Lagolago; and Standards Australia’s Chief Development Officer, Mr. Adam Singemore. Dr. Viliami Latu emphasised the importance of the roadmap, stating, “The roadmap aligns with the rules-based national trading system and Tonga’s obligations under the PACER Plus agreement. It also supports the Tonga Trade Policy Framework 2017-2025, which outlines the need to develop Tonga’s quality infrastructure to ensure the safety of imports and domestic production, and to facilitate Tongan exports in larger markets.” He added, “By implementing the roadmap, we can expect numerous benefits, including increased innovation, enhanced economic growth, improved consistency in the quality of goods and services, improved safety for consumers and workers, and increased competitiveness for Tongan businesses in the global market.” The roadmap sets a 10-year plan with recommendations for improving Tonga’s standardisation ecosystem in alignment with international best practices. These recommendations offer an opportunity to enhance standards functions in Tonga, supporting the private sector, policymakers, and the public. -ENDS- More articles like this one
Report on Constraints and Opportunities in Remittance Data Collection in the Pacific
APIA, Samoa – The PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is pleased to release the report titled “Constraints and Opportunities in Pacific Remittance Data Collection: Study on Remittances Data and Measurement Constraints in Pacific Labour Sending Countries”. This comprehensive research report sheds light on the remittance landscape in three case study countries, namely Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and Tonga. It provides valuable recommendations for enhancing remittance data collection and analysis in the Pacific, aiming to inform policy decisions and support sustainable development in the region. The report underscores the importance of remittances for Pacific labour sending countries. For many of these countries, the level of remittances received exceeds the amount of foreign direct investment (FDI), export receipts, portfolio flows from financial markets, and even foreign aid. In Tonga for example, remittances in 2020 accounted for 39% of its Gross Domestic Product, while export receipts accounted for only 19%, FDI only 9%, and official overseas aid was less than half the value of remittances. Remittance flows have also been found to be more resilient during times of economic downturn including during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and have provided an important ‘safety valve’ to cushion the impact on household incomes and therefore having a direct impact on poverty alleviation. Measuring the volume of remittance flows from labour mobility workers to their Pacific countries of origin is not without its challenges. Pacific labour sending countries have raised concerns on the quality and accuracy of remittances data. To address these concerns, the PPIU commissioned the study to identify the key constraints to remittances data collection and analysis and to determine measures for addressing these constraints. According to the report, the key constraints to remittances data collection and analysis in the region include: Lack of reliable and comprehensive data on remittances in some countries, with insufficient disaggregation of data regarding the sender of remittances. Limited capacity of central banks to collect, analyse, and report on remittance data effectively. Dependence on money transfer operators (MTOs) for data collection resulting in inconsistent data reporting practices. Lack of coordination and collaboration among stakeholders involved in remittance data collection and analysis hampers efforts to obtain accurate and timely data. Despite these challenges, the report identifies several opportunities to improve remittance data collection and analysis in Pacific countries. These opportunities include: Support from international agencies: International agencies offer technical assistance, funding for surveys, collaboration meetings, and research reports and recommendations. Technological advancements: Innovations such as mobile wallets present new avenues for data disaggregation in remittance analysis. Policy interest: Policymakers in Pacific countries exhibit a strong interest in utilising remittances as a tool for economic development and poverty reduction. To address the constraints and capitalise on the opportunities, the report puts forth a number of recommendations which will frame the work that the PPIU will deliver on remittances in the region. To read the full report, please refer to www.pacerplus.org or click here. -END- More articles like this one
Tonga Launches Labour Mobility Supply Management Strategy
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga – The Tongan Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku has launched the Tonga Labour Mobility Supply Management Strategy (TLMSMS) today, funded by the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus). The strategy aims to develop a well-managed, coordinated labour mobility supply management programme that is equitable, inclusive, can broaden the range of appropriate and aligned skills for both domestic and international supply. The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of labour mobility as a key component of Tonga’s long-term development strategy, saying: “Labour mobility provides an important, viable development opportunity for Tonga to generate positive impacts for our socio-economic development. It is therefore essential to embed labour mobility as a key component of Tonga’s long-term development strategy.” Tonga has been participating in the Australian and New Zealand labour mobility schemes since their inception in 2007 for New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, 2012 for Australia’s Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP), and 2018 for the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS). Tonga has consistently been one of the three main Pacific labour supply countries. Tongan men have predominantly been recruited for seasonal work in Australia and New Zealand, with Tongan women accounting for around 13 per cent of SWP and RSE visa grants in recent years. The TLMSMS aims to address the labour mobility supply challenges faced by Tonga as demand for Pacific labour is expected to increase significantly over the next five years. The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is expected to increase from its present 35,000 workers to almost 50,000 by 2025-26, while New Zealand’s labour mobility programmes are expanding to new sectors including construction and infrastructure, meat and seafood processing, the care workforce, and tourism and hospitality. Head of PACER Plus Implementation Unit, Mr. Roy Lagolago, said: “Labour mobility is a potential development vehicle for Pacific labour sending countries such as Tonga but optimising these benefits requires conducive policies and strategies to balance the costs and benefits for the country. The Tonga Labour Mobility Supply Management Strategy has been developed through evidence-based approaches to help increase Tonga’s development gains from labour mobility and contribute to the country’s sustainable economic development.” The TLMSMS was jointly conducted by labour mobility experts and officials from Tonga, New Zealand, and Australia working collectively to ensure an evidence-based approach to the findings. The TLMSMS has identified a range of skill shortages and labour shortages across the domestic market, particularly for medium to high-skilled professionals, trades, construction areas, and specific semi-skilled occupations. The Tonga 2021 Census of Population and Housing identified over 25 per cent of Tongan households have remittances from labour mobility workers as their main source of income. Temporary labour mobility remittances from Tongans working on SWP and RSE programmes were much higher than for any other labour-supplying country, with an estimated average of US$4,108 (TOP$9,545) sent per working season per person. The TLMSMS identified that the development challenge for Tonga is not a labour shortage but a skills shortage. This is largely due to the impact of permanent migration, a serious under-skilling of the work force, with lack of sufficient educational and vocational options, and labour mobility selection processes which allow over-skilled Tongans to take low-skilled jobs. Informed by evidence from the labour market data analysis, the TLMSMS provides an action plan for the next three years which will essentially provide a roadmap for Tonga’s management of its labour mobility supply. The key focus areas in the roadmap are improved labour mobility governance, improved labour mobility worker selection, targeted reintegration programmes, skills development to increase domestic skills supply and generate net-skills gains for Tonga, private sector engagement and labour market data management and intelligence programme. Tonga’s Ministry of Trade and Economic Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Education and Statistics Department will lead the implementation of the Strategy and are required to submit an annual progress update to cabinet. The Governments of Australia and New Zealand both expressed their support of the Strategy and their commitment to the implementation of the action plan. -END- More articles like this one
Bridging the Gender Gap in Agriculture
How Electronic Phytosanitary is Empowering Women in the Pacific The electronic phytosanitary certification system, also known as ePhyto, is a technological innovation that is making a significant contribution to gender equality in trade. This digital platform facilitates the certification of plant and food products by eliminating physical paperwork, reducing processing time, and enabling real-time tracking of certification status. One of the critical ways in which ePhyto supports gender equality is by enabling women to participate more fully in international trade. In many countries, women are traditionally excluded from trade-related activities due to cultural and social barriers. However, ePhyto has made it easier for Pacific women to access and participate in the export market by simplifying the certification process and making it more accessible. ePhyto removes the need for Pacific women to travel to and attend to government offices to complete phytosanitary paperwork each time they export/import. This system reduces time burdens, eliminates need to travel, and allows for online activities to be done at a time convenient to women. This system substantially supports Pacific women in engaging fully in trade. The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) has been a crucial driver of ePhyto’s implementation in the Pacific region. PACER Plus is a unique trade agreement that aims to promote sustainable economic development in the Pacific by improving access to international markets. By supporting the adoption of ePhyto, PACER Plus is assisting member parties to increase their competitiveness in international trade while also promoting gender equality. Since September 2022, PACER Plus Implementation Unit provided training to a total of 123 biosecurity officials and exporters from seven member parties: Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Tuvalu. However, plans to involve stakeholders in Vanuatu, the latest Pacific country to ratify the agreement, have been delayed due to Cyclone Judy and Cyclone Kevin that hit the country this month. Out of all the participants who received training, 42 per cent are women. May Schaaf Vi, Manager Operations for Hihifo Foods, attended the PACER Plus ePhyto Training in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. “In my past experiences, the manual phyto certification generally takes a day or two to process. With ePhyto, processing the certificates will almost be instant which would assist us greatly in exporting and importing goods,” said Ms. Vi. ePhyto is a technological innovation that is having a significant impact on promoting gender equality in the Pacific. By simplifying the certification process and eliminating gender-based barriers to trade, ePhyto is enabling more Pacific women to participate in international trade and access new economic opportunities. More articles like this one
Tongan farmers receive support from PACER Plus
The PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) handed over 1,000 harvesting crates to Tonga’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests (MAFF) on Wednesday, 8 February. These harvesting crates will assist Tongan farmers by minimizing post-harvest damage and loss of produce harvested for export. “I’m happy to see the PACER Plus Implementation Unit team meeting the farmers and supporting the Tongan agricultural sector. I want to continue to grow the volume of my produce and this support will assist me and other farmers in doing that. I look forward to continued talanoa with the Implementation Unit on how to help me grow my business,” said Tevita Tapaivalu, one of many Tongan farmers present at the handover. MAFF CEO, Dr Viliami Manu, raised the importance of supporting farmers as the agricultural industry in the island kingdom has been severely impacted by COVID-19 as well as the volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2022. “This support comes at a critical time for our farmers. As a party to the PACER Plus agreement, Tonga is pleased to receive these benefits that will support our agricultural sector,” said Dr Manu. PACER Plus is a regional development-centered trade and investment agreement aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. The Agreement is designed to support Pacific Island countries to stimulate economic growth by becoming more active partners in, and benefit from, regional and global trade. Ten countries are currently parties to the Agreement: Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. -ENDS- Image Caption: Hon. Lord Fohe (right), Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Forests in Tonga receives 1,000 harvest bins from Roy Lagolago, Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit. More articles like this one
Rebuilding Tonga tourism after the pandemic
PACER Plus countries look to reinvigorate key industries to support their economic recovery with international borders reopening worldwide. The impact of the pandemic on tourism industry has been severe, where it is estimated some 80 per cent of tourism-sector jobs have been lost across the region. The tourism sector remains a key pillar of many Pacific economies and presents an important opportunity to stabilise service sectors and kick-start their diverse value chains again. For Tonga, pre-pandemic tourism contributed to over 11 per cent of GDP, a critical factor recognised by Lorraine Kauhenga, Deputy CEO at Tonga Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED) when developing the program of support for international trade under the PACER Plus Agreement. Key tourism markets for Tonga are Australia and New Zealand, where over 70 per cent of tourist arrivals originate from, and thus MTED prioritised support to the Tonga Tourism Authority (TTA) as measure. With the support of PACER Plus Implementation Unit, the TTA commenced a fast-tracked program of training and re-training tourism staff. Priority themes identified through a training needs analysis in late 2021 included customer service, communications, and COVID-19 protocols as key areas for development. On 29 June 2022, the first of a series of the customer service and communications training took place at Tungi Colonade in Nuku’alofa. Some 24 participants developed skills in greeting customers, responding to complaints, and range of other activities over the two-day training. “The Ministry would like to thank the TTA for leading this much needed training in preparing our tourism industry for the reopening of the borders, learning new things as we adapt to the new norm of living with COVID-19 and its uncertainty, but also to serve as a refresher to gain new energy as we once again greet the world,” said Ms Kauhenga. Training on health and hygiene standards and COVID-19 soon followed on 11 July 2022 in Nuku’alofa, with more trainings to be rolled out across the countries in priority locations including Vava’u, Ha’apai and ‘Eua. “Whilst the pandemic has had many devastating impacts, a positive development has been the increased use of technology in the way we work. This was seen as a key opportunity for expanding the reach of training activities,” said Ms Simata Palu, Planning and Development Manager at TTA. With support from the PACER Plus Implementation Unit, TTA was able to live stream their event. “This is an important step in making our training more inclusive and accessible, as well as sustainable. Whilst we still need to develop our systems and processes to best capture this new way of delivering training, we are learning new skills and will strive to make this better as we progress,” said Ms Palu. Supporting economic recovery and promoting trade in the region is key objective of the PACER Plus Agreement. As we look to the future, many countries will consider prioritising opportunities that tourism presents in creating jobs, expanding the services sector, and international investment – all key elements of PACER Plus, and the role of the Implementation Unit in supporting. “We also appreciate the financial assistance provided through the PACER Plus Implementation Unit in making this training possible. We look forward to more successful trainings such as these and regaining the world’s confidence in our tourism industry,” said Ms Kauhenga. More articles like this one
PACER Plus releases four-year Strategic Plan
The PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) today released its inaugural Strategic Plan 2022-2025 which provides the public with the PPIU’s overarching mission and activities. The Strategic Plan was endorsed by the PACER Plus Joint Committee which consists of representatives of the PACER Plus parties. The Strategic Plan was developed on the substantial work undertaken by PACER Plus parties in accordance with PPIU’s foundation documents. Kiribati, which chaired the Joint Committee meeting held virtually on Wednesday 22 June, encouraged the parties to take a collective response in identifying opportunities that will bring significant and sustainable benefits as the region grapples with the ongoing impact of climate change, non-communicable diseases, and COVID-19. “PACER Plus provides us with a unique opportunity and forum to respond collectively. It is also an opportunity to do things differently and to leverage our collective knowledge and expertise to achieve our shared vision of improving the livelihood and welfare of our people,” said Hon Bootii Nauan, Kiribati’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Cooperative. Roy Lagolago, Head of the PPIU, supported Mr Nauan’s sentiments adding that PPIU will implement the Development and Economic Cooperation Work Programme to achieve the Agreement’s vision. “By delivering the implementation activities as mutually prioritised and determined by the parties, the PPIU will remain directed and clear in our mission and intent to ensure that everyone will benefit from the PACER Plus Agreement,” said Mr Lagolago. Solomon Islands Trade Commissioner Barrett Salato said: “To achieve meaningful benefits from PACER Plus Agreement would require full and effective implementation of the Development and Economic Work Programme. The Strategic Plan 2022-2025 sets the pathway for the full realization of those benefits.” PACER Plus is a regional development-centered trade and investment agreement aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. The Agreement is designed to support Pacific Island countries to stimulate economic growth by becoming more active partners in, and benefit from, regional and global trade. Nine countries are currently parties to the Agreement: Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Tuvalu. This was Tuvalu’s first Joint Committee meeting since ratifying the PACER Plus Agreement in January 2022. “Through PACER Plus, Tuvalu foresees accessing new labour markets in other countries, expanding of our labour seasonal worker scheme, local product mapping, value adding and potential exporting, including necessary storage facilities, equipment and labs for processing and testing of local product prior exportation,” said Loloma Homasi, Assistant Secretary to Tuvalu’s Ministry of Fisheries and Trade. Vanuatu’s parliament recently voted in favour for the ratification of the Bill for the PACER Plus Agreement which will make Vanuatu the 10th country to endorse PACER Plus. Vanuatu’s Department of External Trade director, Joe Pakoa Lui, was present at the PACER Plus Joint Committee meeting. “We’re excited to join the PACER Plus family and to collaborate with the PPIU and the parties to implement activities in Vanuatu that would benefit our people and our communities,” said Mr Lui. “PACER Plus marks an exciting new era for Pacific cooperation in trade and investment which Vanuatu is looking forward to participate in.” To view the PPIU Strategic Plan 2022-2025, please visit pacerplus.org/resources or click on the link below. PACER-Plus-Implementation-Unit-Strategic-Plan-2022-2025 -ENDS- Caption: The PACER Plus Joint Committee Meeting, which consists of representatives of the PACER Plus parties, was held virtually on Wednesday, 22 June 2022. More articles like this one