New Five-Year PACER Plus Support Agreed by Pacific Ministers
HONIARA, Solomon Islands – Pacific trade ministers met in Honiara, Solomon Islands yesterday and agreed on a renewed push to strengthen trade, investment, and labour mobility across the region under the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus or PACER Plus. Ministers and ministerial representatives from Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu came together for the 2025 PACER Plus Ministerial Meeting, chaired by Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka, Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade. Ministers and ministerial representatives from the 10 PACER Plus parties came together for the 2025 PACER Plus Ministerial Meeting in Honiara on Thursday 27 November. Opening the meeting, Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele highlighted the progress made since PACER Plus entered into force in 2020. PACER Plus is grounded in a rules-based system. The Agreement embodies these multilateral principles that respects sovereignty while promoting shared benefits of trade and economic integration. It also addresses the unique and diverse economic vulnerabilities of Pacific small island developing states and offers a structured path for our people to integrate and adapt to the global trading system. It remains an important framework to grow regional peace, progress and prosperity in the region. Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele Ministers reviewed the first five years of the Development and Economic Cooperation (DEC) Work Programme and acknowledged how the work programme had supported policy reforms and institutional capacity building, while also responding to specific national needs, especially for small island economies facing ongoing economic and climate pressures. Looking ahead, the ministers endorsed the strategic priorities for the next phase of the DEC Work Programme (2025-2030). The new priorities will focus on legislation and policy reform, public sector capacity building, private sector development, and automation and data systems. The next phase aims to create a more predictable trading environment, help businesses become more competitive, and ensure Pacific countries have the tools they need to meet their PACER Plus commitments. The ministers also acknowledged the central role played by the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) in driving the significant progress achieved under the DEC Work Programme 2020-2025. They understood the importance of the PPIU as a standalone, member-driven regional entity, one that supports Parties to build economic resilience, deepen cooperation, and advance sustainable development across the Pacific. Ministers also reaffirmed the Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting as the region’s main forum for advancing labour mobility issues. Australia and New Zealand announced major new support for the next five-year DEC Work Programme – AUD 23.2 million from Australia and NZD 10 million from New Zealand. A key highlight from yesterday’s meeting was the joint announcement by Australia and New Zealand of renewed funding for the next five-year cycle of the DEC Work Programme – AUD 23.2 million from Australia and NZD 10 million from New Zealand. Ministers welcomed this commitment and proceeded to sign the Phase II Implementing Arrangement for Development and Economic Cooperation (2025-2030). The meeting also agreed to increase their engagement with other Forum Island Countries that have expressed interest in joining PACER Plus. Ministers endorsed the development of a structured advocacy strategy under the next phase of the DEC Work Programme to support future accessions, with a commitment from Australia and New Zealand to provide additional assistance as membership expands. Finally, ministers expressed their deep appreciation to the government and people of Solomon Islands for hosting the meeting and for their warm hospitality. Tonga will chair the next PACER Plus Joint Committee and Ministerial Meetings in 2026. The full PACER Plus Ministerial Communique can be accessed here. -ENDS- More articles like this one
Pacific Ministers to Endorse the Next Five Years of PACER Plus Development and Economic Cooperation
HONIARA, Solomon Islands – Government ministers and senior officials from around the Pacific will gather in Honiara, Solomon Islands, from 25-27 November for the Ninth PACER Plus Joint Committee Meeting and 2025 PACER Plus Ministerial Meeting. Representatives from the PACER Plus Parties – Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu – will attend the three-day meeting. Ambassador Collin Beck (left) with Mr. Roy Lagolago at the Eighth PACER Plus Joint Committee Meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands. The meetings will conclude on 27 November with the PACER Plus Ministerial Meeting, which will be officially opened by the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Hon. Jeremiah Manele. This year’s gathering comes at an important moment for the region. Ministers and officials will consider a report on the first phase of the Development and Economic Cooperation (DEC) Work Programme, which has been jointly funded by Australia and New Zealand since 2020 to help Pacific Island countries implement the PACER Plus (the Agreement). Over the past five years, the DEC Work Programme has supported Parties with policy reforms, legislative updates, and institution-building. But it has also increasingly responded to very practical needs such as providing equipment, systems, and tools that help Pacific countries meet their trade commitments and unlock opportunities for businesses. While the programme has achieved significant progress, implementation has not been without its challenges. Countries have had to navigate the pandemic’s lasting impacts, staffing shortages, trade tensions and changing international systems. These lessons have reinforced the need for more targeted support, stronger coordination, and investments that deliver clear, tangible benefits to Pacific economies. Ministers will also consider the next phase of development assistance, including the signing of the next Implementing Arrangement for Development and Economic Cooperation under PACER Plus for another five years. They previously signalled support for this renewal during the 2024 Ministerial Meeting in Brisbane, Australia. Ambassador Collin Beck, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Solomon Islands and the Chair of the PACER Plus Joint Committee Meeting said Solomon Islands is proud to host the meetings at a time when regional cooperation and regional integration is critical to unlock our shared prosperity. PACER Plus is not just a trade agreement but a commitment by Pacific nations to work together for an integrated Pacific. As hosts, Solomon Islands is honoured to welcome our Pacific brothers and sisters to Honiara. These meetings will help shape the next chapter of cooperation, ensuring that our region continues to grow, remain connected, and benefit from a fair and predictable trading environment. Ambassador Collin Beck The past five years have also seen major advances in trade facilitation across the region. These include customs modernisation through rollout of ASYCUDA systems; sanitary and phytosanitary improvements including ePhyto for faster, paperless certification; simplified rules of origin and improved border procedures; duty-free access to Australia and New Zealand for Pacific exports; and strengthened labour mobility cooperation, including pilot intra-Pacific initiatives and reintegration support. Mr. Roy Lagolago, Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), said these achievements show the value of predictable, well-coordinated regional support. “Over the last five years, we’ve seen real progress like faster customs clearances, better systems for exporters, more streamlined rules, and stronger labour mobility arrangements. Countries are not only meeting their commitments under PACER Plus, but they are also seeing practical benefits on the ground. As we move toward the next phase of the DEC Work Programme, the focus will remain on solutions that make trade easier, support jobs, and strengthen resilience across our island economies,” said Mr. Lagolago. The PPIU, based in Apia, Samoa, manages the DEC Work Programme and supports countries in implementing the agreement. -ENDS- More articles like this one
Modernised customs systems set to streamline trade and reduce border delays
Customs organisations in the Pacific are advancing their digital systems to improve trade activities within the region and the world. The Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) Secretariat and the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) concluded a four-day Digital Customs Workshop in Nadi, Fiji, bringing together 23 participants from 15 member countries to chart a course towards paperless, efficient border operations. The ‘Digital Customs Workshop: Advancing Trade Facilitation and Modernisation through Technology’ was an initiative by OCO seeing that its members were making great strides in automating border processes. The workshop, held from October 27-30, highlighted the key principles of Digital Customs which was predictability, transparency and efficiency addressing growing concerns of trade delays and inefficiencies that have long plagued Pacific commerce. The four-day Digital Customs Workshop in Nadi last month, brought together 23 participants from 15 countries. PACER Plus Trade Advisor Alipate Tavo stressed the importance of customs’ digital transition for regional development. “Digital customs is a fundamental pillar for enabling trade facilitation and transparency. Through partnerships like this, PPIU continues to support the region in building the digital infrastructure and capacity required for modern customs and trade systems,” Mr. Tavo said. OCO Trade and Revenue Management Advisor Sumeet Singh said regional teamwork is essential for successful digital upgrades. “Going digital is the key to modernising customs. It’s all about being transparent, fast and trustworthy. As Pacific nations, we need to work together on systems that don’t just connect our borders — they should boost our economies too,” Singh said. The initiative aligns with international standards including the Revised Kyoto Convention, World Trade Organisation Trade Facilitation Agreement and supports the implementation of the Pacific Regional Trade Facilitation Strategy. The workshop featured presentations from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and Pacific Community. It also provided a platform for OCO members to share and learn from their respective digital Customs journeys. Participants achieved five key outcomes during the workshop. They improved their understanding of digital Customs systems and skills in analysing trade data and also created draft national plans with specific timelines and priority actions for digital transformation. The workshop also helped build the groundwork for important legal changes, including laws for electronic signatures and protecting data. It also strengthened working relationships between regional organisations. More than half of OCO’s 24 members have already computerised their main clearance work representing a major progress towards fully digital Customs operations across the Pacific. Participants also produced an outcome statement of the workshop, which recommended several follow-up actions including consolidating national roadmaps into a regional action plan with bi-annual progress reviews, developing a Digital Customs Legal Readiness Checklist, launching regional cybersecurity initiatives, and establishing sustained digital skills programmes. These recommended actions will enable OCO members to “collectively overcome structural challenges, ensure faster trade flows and build stronger economic resilience for the region”. PPIU Operations and Secretariat Manager Laisiana Tugaga who provided closing remarks at the workshop stressed the importance of working together. Together with our partners, we are laying the foundation for a connected, efficient and paperless Pacific customs community. Laisiana Tugaga, PPIU Operations and Secretariat Manager The workshop represents part of ongoing PACER Plus Development and Economic Cooperation Work Programme efforts to ensure Pacific Island countries benefit equitably from digital transformation in international trade. The digital transformation initiative comes at a crucial time for Pacific trade, as island nations seek to modernise their economies while maintaining competitive advantages in global markets. -ENDS- More articles like this one
Fair Recruitment Key to Sustainable Reintegration, Says Prime Minister Manele at PLMAM 2025 Opening
HONIARA, Solomon Islands – The Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting (PLMAM) 2025 officially opened this morning in Honiara, Solomon Islands, bringing together Pacific labour mobility stakeholders from across the Pacific and beyond under the theme ‘Sustainable Reintegration Begins with Fair and Effective Recruitment’. Organised by the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), which also serves as the Labour Mobility Secretariat, the PLMAM provides a regional platform for countries to work together on improving recruitment processes, worker welfare, and the long-term benefits of labour mobility for Pacific families and communities. The PLMAM 2025 has drawn participants from Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, as well as Timor Leste and the Philippines. This year’s meeting has drawn participants from Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, as well as Timor Leste and the Philippines. Opening the meeting, Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Hon. Jeremiah Manele, said the Pacific’s labour mobility programmes have become an important pathway for employment, skills development, and economic empowerment across the region. Labour mobility is not just an economic policy it is a lifeline of opportunity. Thousands of Solomon Islanders have found meaningful work abroad, gained new skills, supported their families, and returned home with renewed hope and experience. Remittances from seasonal workers contributed SB$475 million in 2024 for Solomon Islands. While this may be small in comparison to other Pacific family members, these remittances are of immense significance to our economy. Hon. Jeremiah Manele Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Hon. Jeremiah Manele, opened the PLMAM 2025. Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit and Labour Mobility Secretariat, Mr. Roy Lagolago, said the discussions at PLMAM 2025 would focus on strengthening collaboration between sending and receiving countries to ensure fair outcomes for all parties involved. “Fair and effective recruitment is where sustainable reintegration begins,” said Mr. Lagolago. “When workers are well-prepared, well-supported, and treated fairly throughout their journey, the benefits of labour mobility extend beyond individuals to uplift families, communities, and entire economies.” Over the next three days, PLMAM participants will discuss practical steps to improve worker recruitment, strengthen the partnership between Labour Sending Units and Employers, as well as regional measures to enhance the development impact of labour mobility through sustainable reintegration initiatives. The PLMAM, established under the PACER Plus Arrangement on Labour Mobility, continues to serve as the region’s main platform for cooperation on labour mobility issues and policy coordination between Pacific sending and receiving countries. -ENDS- More articles like this one
Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting 2025 to Convene in Honiara
HONIARA, Solomon Islands – Labour mobility stakeholders from across the Pacific and beyond will gather in Honiara from 3-6 November 2025 for the Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting (PLMAM) 2025, hosted under the theme “Sustainable Reintegration Begins with Fair and Effective Recruitment”. The meeting, organised by the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), which also serves as the Labour Mobility Secretariat, brings together participants from PACER Plus Parties including Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, as well as invited representatives from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Timor Leste as observers. Other labour mobility stakeholders will also be represented including workers, employers, trade unions, private sector, academia, international and regional organisations. The PLMAM 2025 theme is “Sustainable Reintegration Begins with Fair and Effective Recruitment”. The four-day meeting will provide a platform for open and practical discussions among labour mobility stakeholders including workers, employers, labour sending and labour receiving government officials, international organisations such as the International Labour Organisation, International Organisation for Migration, and the World Bank, and a guest speaker from the Philippines Department of Migrant Workers. The key topics discussed will focus on worker recruitment and sustainable reintegration. Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Peter Shanel Agovaka said his government is honoured to host the regional meeting. The Pacific’s labour mobility schemes have brought life-changing opportunities to thousands of our people. But as the numbers grow, so does our shared responsibility to ensure recruitment is fair, ethical, and transparent. Hosting the PLMAM 2025 is a privilege for Solomon Islands and a chance for us all to ensure that the benefits of these programmes are felt not only by workers abroad but also by families, communities and countries. Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit and Labour Mobility Secretariat, Mr. Roy Lagolago, said this year’s theme reflects a growing regional focus on ensuring that the worker journey is fair from start to finish. “Sustainable reintegration starts long before workers board a plane. It begins with how they are recruited, trained, and supported,” Mr. Lagolago said. “The PLMAM provides an important space for sending and receiving countries to work together, share lessons, and make practical commitments to fair recruitment and better outcomes for our workers and their families.” Established under the PACER Plus Arrangement on Labour Mobility, the PLMAM is the region’s main platform for cooperation on labour mobility issues, strengthening dialogue and partnership between governments, private sector employers, and worker representatives across the Pacific. -ENDS- More articles like this one
Cook Islands Sets Regional Benchmark with Uniquely Cook Islands Branding Program
PACER Plus-supported initiative safeguards cultural identity while driving inclusive economic growth RAROTONGA, Cook Islands — The Cook Islands has marked a historic milestone under the PACER Plus Agreement with the co-design of its ground-breaking Branding Program: Uniquely Cook Islands. The initiative — the first of its kind in the Pacific — was validated through a day-long workshop that brought together artisans, entrepreneurs, cultural leaders, and government representatives. Designed to safeguard cultural knowledge and creativity, protect against counterfeiting, and strengthen global recognition, the program ensures that Cook Islands products and services are respected and trusted worldwide. It also fosters investment opportunities, including through the diaspora, particularly in the cultural and creative industries. Repeta Puna, CEO of the Business Trade & Investment Board (BTIB) Through its Certification Mark and Tokens, Uniquely Cook Islands will make authenticity visible, give buyers confidence, and future-proof the culture, customs, and traditions of the islands. It also directly advances the Cook Islands Government’s National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS), linking cultural protection with inclusive and sustainable economic growth. “This is not just a certification mark; it is a national commitment to honouring who we are as a people. By designing this program together, with voices from Rarotonga, the Pa Enua, and our diaspora, we are setting a global standard for best practice in cultural integrity and sustainable trade.” Repeta Puna, CEO of the Business Trade & Investment Board (BTIB) The “Branding Program: Uniquely Cook Islands” initiative was validated through a day-long workshop that brought together artisans, entrepreneurs, cultural leaders, and government representatives. The Uniquely Cook Islands Certification Program is built on three pillars: Protect: Safeguard cultural intellectual property and prevent misuse of traditional designs, language, and stories. Participate: Enable small and micro-businesses, particularly artisans and those in the outer islands, to participate in trade on fair and transparent terms. Prosper: Unlock economic value at home and abroad, ensuring the Cook Islands’ reputation for authenticity strengthens in global markets. Highlighting the broader significance of the program, Dr Alisi Kautoke Holani, PACER Plus Trade in Services and Investment Lead, noted: “For artisans and cultural practitioners, the program provides recognition and pricing power that reflects their skill and heritage. For entrepreneurs and innovators, it offers a pathway to sustainable growth while proudly carrying the Cook Islands name. For the Cook Islands diaspora, it establishes a channel to contribute to the homeland’s cultural and economic advancement.” With strong interest already expressed by local businesses and cultural leaders, the program is now entering its final co-design stages before launch. The Cook Islands is poised to set an inspiring regional and global benchmark in protecting and promoting cultural identity through trade. -ENDS- More articles like this one
Final Evaluation Confirms Success of the Niue-Solomon Islands Labour Mobility Pilot
Alofi, NIUE – PACER Plus, in collaboration with the Government of Niue, hosted the final evaluation of the Niue-Solomon Islands Labour Mobility Pilot from 1-4 July 2025 in Niue. The ground-breaking labour mobility pilot between Niue and Solomon Islands has been deemed a success, following a comprehensive final evaluation that highlights the initiative’s strong outcomes for both countries. The Niue–Solomon Islands Intra-Pacific Labour Mobility Pilot, launched under the PACER Plus Arrangement on Labour Mobility (ALM) in July 2024, has provided a unique and valuable opportunity for four retired Solomon Islands nationals to address critical labour shortages in Niue’s aged care sector. The final evaluation confirmed that the pilot met its core objectives of facilitating the movement of Pacific labour within Pacific countries to deliver mutual benefits to both labour sending and labour receiving countries. The Niue-Solomon Islands Intra-Pacific Labour Mobility Pilot has provided a valuable opportunity for four retired Solomon Islands nationals to address critical labour shortages in Niue’s aged care sector. The evaluation found that Niue benefited from increased workforce capacity and improved aged care services while the retired nurses from Solomon Islands gained an income-generating opportunity they otherwise would not have had. Both governments demonstrated strong collaboration, which set a precedent for future intra-Pacific labour arrangements. The final evaluation also identified lessons for future intra-Pacific initiatives, including the need for streamlined recruitment processes, tailored pre-departure training, and continued worker welfare support. Niue’s Minister for Finance and Infrastructure, Hon. Crossley Tatui, welcomed the results. “This pilot has demonstrated that Pacific Island countries can work together to solve shared challenges. We are proud to have hosted workers from Solomon Islands and are already seeing the positive impacts in our aged care sector.” Hon. Crossley Tatui, Niue’s Minister for Finance and Infrastructure, Solomon Islands’ Deputy Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Mr. Hickson George, echoed the sentiment: “This has been an important opportunity for our workers to gain employment in their retirement years and support their families at home. We look forward to expanding such partnerships under the PACER Plus framework.” The success of the pilot has generated interest in scaling up intra-Pacific labour mobility in critical sectors while ensuring that development benefits are shared across the region. PACER Plus will use the evaluation findings to inform the development of Niue’s Labour Mobility Strategy and provide broader regional policy and develop practical guidance for Parties seeking to initiate similar pilot schemes. -ENDS- More articles like this one
Cook Islands Completes Landmark Crop Pest Survey to Strengthen Trade and Plant Health
RAROTONGA, Cook Islands – The Cook Islands has successfully completed a national crop pest survey, its first in years, as part of a push to protect local agriculture and strengthen trade opportunities in the region and beyond. The survey, carried out from 14-25 July 2025 in Aitutaki and Rarotonga, was led by the Cook Islands’ Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS), New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Lincoln University. It forms a key part of the Cook Islands’ commitment under PACER Plus to improve its plant health systems and support safe, sustainable trade. Cook Islands’ crop pest survey, its first in years, was led by the by the Cook Islands’ Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with the PPIU, Australia’s DAFF, Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy, New Zealand’s MPI, and Lincoln University. “Keeping our agricultural borders strong for potential export opportunities requires good data. This survey provides exactly that, an up-to-date understanding of the pest and disease risks facing our crops, and a stronger foundation for trade.” Ms. Temarama Anguna-Kamana, Head of the Ministry of Agriculture The fieldwork involved targeted surveillance of key crops and entry pathways across Aitutaki and Rarotonga, followed by in-country diagnostic training for Ministry staff. Samples collected were analysed in-country and further tested in DAFF’s specialised laboratories in Australia. This dual-track approach not only ensured scientific rigour but also built long-term diagnostic capacity within the Ministry. The fieldwork involved surveillance of key crops and entry pathways across Aitutaki and Rarotonga, followed by in-country diagnostic training for Ministry staff. Mr. Alipate Tavo, Trade Adviser at the PACER Plus Implementation Unit, said the plant health surveillance demonstrates how to facilitate international trade while protecting plant life or health in the PACER Plus countries. “Cook Islands is showing leadership by investing in the systems that matter such as biosecurity, pest reporting, and diagnostics,” he said. “We’re pleased to support this work because plant health isn’t just a technical issue. It’s about growing exports, protecting livelihoods, and ensuring farmers can reach new markets with confidence.” The activity included the procurement of specialised traps, lures, and field kits from Australia, and hands-on training for Cook Islands agricultural officers in data collection and pest identification. Survey results will be used to update the Pacific Pest List Database and meet reporting obligations under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). By providing an updated pest status, the survey sets the stage for more accurate pest risk assessments, improved biosecurity planning, and strengthened trade access for Cook Islands-grown produce, particularly in regional and international markets. A final report capturing the survey’s findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and the PACER Plus Implementation Unit in August 2025. -ENDS- More articles like this one
PACER Plus Implementation Unit attends FTOM and FTMM in Fiji
SUVA, Fiji – The Forum Trade Officials and Trade Ministers meeting was convened on 16-18 July 2025 in Suva, Fiji, to deliberate on key trade issues affecting the Pacific region, against the backdrop of an increasingly complex global and regional economic landscape. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system to enhance the region’s gains from international trade. The geographic development challenges of the region further underscored the critical need for increased regional integration through regional initiatives that reflect the region’s collective needs and priorities. These initiatives include the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, the Pacific Roadmap for Economic Development (PRED), and the Pacific Aid for Trade Strategy. The draft Pacific Regional Labour Mobility Principles were also considered as directed by Forum Leaders in 2023. Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands, delivered a statement on behalf of the PACER Plus Parties, highlighting progress and milestones since the Agreement entered into force in 2020. In his remarks, Hon. Agovaka highlighted the integral role of PACER Plus in promoting regional economic integration through reducing barriers to trade and optimising opportunities in trade in goods, services trade, investment and labour mobility. While reaffirming PACER Plus Parties commitment to a predictable rules-based trading system, Hon. Agovaka also encouraged other Forum members’ accession to PACER Plus to increase the impact of the Treaty and to further deepen regional economic integration in the Pacific. During the meeting, Ministers approved observer status for the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) to the Forum Trade Ministers Meeting. The PPIU welcomed this decision as a strategic step towards enhancing regional trade coordination and participation in key regional trade discussions. The PPIU also used the opportunity during the meeting to meet with regional partners to discuss alignment of priorities and collaboration opportunities. -ENDS- More articles like this one
Six Niuean entrepreneurs receive boost for e-commerce growth
ALOFI, Niue – The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), in partnership with the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), is pleased to announce the selection of six Niuean small businesses to receive e-commerce coaching and grant support valued at a total of AU$45,000. The program’s official launch was marked by a virtual kickoff meeting on 3 July 2025 (Niue time), kicking off Phase 2 of the PIFS E-Biz Plus Program in Niue. PIFS Director of Programmes and Initiatives, Mr Zarak Khan highlighted, “This phase builds on last year’s foundation, where we equipped businesses with essential e-commerce tools and training. We’re now investing in six promising Niuean entrepreneurs to help accelerate their growth online, supporting the vision of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap.” Niue Vanilla International, a privately owned Niuean family business, is one of six businesses to receive e-commerce coaching and grant support. One of the selected businesses is Niue Organic Farmers Associations (NIOFA). “At NIOFA, we’re passionate about organic farming and sharing sustainable practices with our community, especially the next generation. Our goal is to educate, inspire, and open pathways to overseas markets through storytelling and digital outreach.” Jamal Talagi, Head of NIOFA said, “We’re truly grateful for this opportunity, which will help us strengthen our message, grow our visibility, and promote Niue’s unique values to the world.” Apart from NIOFA, the selected businesses represent a diverse and dynamic cross-section of Niue’s economy: Niue Vanilla International – A small family business producing quality Niue vanilla, and seeking to expand reach and improve access for overseas customers through website upgrade and establishing a mirror site, to help with overseas payments and better promote Niue. Mrs Sena’s Crafts – A creator of authentic Niuean handicrafts like hats, earrings and mats. Through the program, the business plans to rebrand to build a legacy, on that shares the story of their journey. Additionally, the businesses seek to obtain strategic marketing support capitalising on its social media presence. Ebony Carvings – A maker of handcrafted wood jewellery and artistic carvings, with a goal to grow the business and expand its reach in the handicraft sector through its social media platforms. Lupe Niue – Lupe Niue is planning to launch an online store to make products like banana chips more accessible and boost direct sales to customers. Bohnz Infotech – An emerging provider of electronics and IT services, planning to formally its services, through establishing a retail outlet and online platforms, and implementing strategic marketing strategies. PPIU provided AU$100,000 to support Phase 2 of the PIFS E-Biz Plus program, involving e-commerce coaching and grant scheme in Niue. This project builds on previous joint efforts between PPIU and PIFS to support Pacific businesses in the digital economy, following the successful rollout of Phase 1 of the PIFS E-Biz Plus program in Vanuatu, Tonga, and Niue in 2024, involving the development of e-commerce business toolkits and training workshops. “At the heart of PACER Plus is a commitment to inclusive economic growth across the Pacific,” said Dr. Alisi Holani, Trade in Services and Investment Adviser and Labour Mobility Specialist. “We’re proud to support Niue’s small businesses in embracing digital tools that allow them to compete beyond their shores, reduce trade costs, and improve profitability.” PACER Plus, a unique regional trade agreement between Niue, seven Pacific Island countries, Australia, and New Zealand, was designed to drive economic growth and improve the livelihoods of Pacific peoples. For Niue, PACER Plus represents access to a broader market, targeted development assistance, and a platform for economic resilience in an increasingly connected world. Through this next phase of the PIFS E-Biz Plus, these six MSMEs will receive personalised coaching and financial assistance to help them grow their businesses and tap into new opportunities in the digital economy. -ENDS- More articles like this one