PACER Plus is a trade and development agreement between Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. It aims to make it easier for Pacific countries to trade, attract investment, and grow their economies by improving systems, building capacity, and reducing barriers to trade.
PACER Plus provides support to help businesses meet export requirements, improve product quality, understand trade rules, and find opportunities in Australia, New Zealand, and across the Pacific. It also supports better systems and standards that make trading easier.
No formal registration is required. However, if you’re a business looking to export or get support, it helps to connect with your local Ministry of Trade. They work closely with the PACER Plus Implementation Unit to link businesses to support.
No. While trade is a key focus, PACER Plus also supports labour mobility and investment. It strengthens institutions, helps improve customs systems, and invests in skills training and digital trade tools.
What sets PACER Plus apart is its strong development focus. Australia and New Zealand fund the Development Economic Cooperation Work Program that help Pacific countries build their capacity to trade and benefit from the agreement. It’s not just about reducing tariffs — it’s about ensuring Pacific countries are ready to take advantage of new opportunities.
Start by speaking to your local Ministry of Trade. They can connect you to training, export readiness programs, and market access support made possible through PACER Plus. You can also follow PACER Plus online for updates and opportunities.
You can access free, self-paced training on the PACER Plus e-Learning Platform at www.pacerplus.org. Your government trade ministry may also host in-person workshops, consultations, and awareness sessions as part of PACER Plus support.
No. PACER Plus was designed and negotiated by Pacific leaders with the Pacific in mind. While it opens up trade for all members, its core focus is helping Pacific countries strengthen their ability to trade through funding, technical assistance, and capacity building. It’s about levelling the playing field, not tipping it.
No. Pacific countries negotiated their own schedules and timelines for reducing tariffs, and in many cases kept protections in place for sensitive products. The agreement is flexible and takes into account the different development needs of each country. The goal is to support sustainable growth, not to rush liberalisation.
