PTI welcomes PACER Plus signing

Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) network has welcomed the signing of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) in Tonga on Wednesday, 14 June.

The PTI Network has congratulated the Pacific countries who signed the agreement earlier this month in Tonga.

Michael Greenslade, Trade & Investment Commissioner and CEO PTI New Zealand, said it’s an important agreement that will strengthen Pacific relations.

“New Zealand and Australian markets are important for the Pacific Islands, and closer trade and economic relations will have an important role in increasing collective prosperity.  The key objective of PACER Plus is to encourage economic development and promote business growth across the Pacific.”

Caleb Jarvis, Trade & Investment Commissioner PTI Australia, said as a Pacific Island agency, PTI is committed to ensuring benefits of the agreement are capitalised on by Pacific Island businesses.

“PTI is working closely with all Forum Members to fully understand the opportunities PACER Plus has for Pacific Island businesses. At the core of what we do is facilitating trade and investment opportunities with the Pacific Islands. We look forward to engaging with Pacific Island businesses to put this agreement into practice,” Mr Jarvis said.

Dame Meg Taylor, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Secretary-General said the signing of the trade deal marked an important milestone for the Pacific region.

“The implementation of the PACER Plus must ensure that the development needs of the Forum Island Countries are addressed through sustainable trade and economic development,” Dame Taylor said.

The PTI team of professionals is actively profiling the Pacific Islands for inward investments and tourism, and promoting exports of Pacific Islands products and services.

Australia, the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu have signed PACER Plus.