The 2014 Forum Trade Ministers Meeting (FTMM) will be held in Tarawa, Kiribati on 28 May 2014.
‘Leveraging Economic Growth Opportunities through Trade Promotion and Facilitation Reforms’ is the theme for this year’s Forum Trade Ministers meeting.
“The focus on trade promotion and facilitation initiatives will assist our Members in translating opportunities into real trade transactions immediately. It also aligns with global efforts towards improving trade facilitation and is in recognition of the outcomes of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference held in Bali in December 2013,” the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade said.
Forum Trade Ministers will consider Pacific trade in the global context, trade negotiations including the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus, the core trade promotion and facilitation initiatives as well as other trade-related work programmes in the region.
“Trade promotion and trade facilitation reforms need to become a priority for the Forum Island Countries to enable them to benefit from the global trading opportunities,” Tuiloma Slade added.
“A renewed and refreshed Pacific Aid for Trade Strategy and a strengthened Pacific Islands Trade and Invest Network will support Forum Members in intensifying efforts on trade promotion and facilitation.”
An updated mandate to progress work on regional trade priorities is expected to be agreed to by the Forum Trade Ministers.
Forum Trade Officials and Ministers have been meeting annually to discuss key trade-related issues affecting the region.
The Forum Trade Ministers meeting will be preceded by the Forum Trade Officials on 27 May.
TARAWA, (PIFS)
