PRIVATE sector representatives including, micro-small-medium enterprises, financing institutions; and investment promotion authorities from the Pacific Region gathered in Nadi, today for the first African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) Knowledge and Information Sharing Event.
The three-day event is organised by the ACP in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).
ACP Group of States assistant Secretary General Viwanou Gnassounou said when engaging the private sector, there was a need to ensure country ownership, technology and knowledge transfer and decent work for local people.
“Public and private sector should be partners: the role of Government is to be a facilitator, to create the enabling environment, while investment and creation of jobs should come from the private sector,” Mr Gnassounou said.
PIFS director Programme and Initiatives Zarak Khan said: “The long-term viability of the Blue Pacific Continent calls for innovation, connectedness, and an ability to sustainably exploit our traditional areas of economic strength while looking to identify new growth sectors, particularly in light of the climate change emergency that confronts us. In these endeavours, the Private Sector remains a vital partner.”
The event will provide comprehensive information on relevant intra-ACP programmes, European Investment Bank (EIB)- managed and other European Commission-related Private Sector Development facilities and programs targeting the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) regions to over eighty participants.
It will also promote peer-to-peer learning and experience sharing in the area of private sector development and ensure a high degree of interaction among ACP private sector participants through business to business (B2B) networking in the areas of finance, trade, innovation and technology transfer.
The event will also host a Talanoa on the Blue Pacific continent and the future 2050 Strategy involving Executives from Banking Institutions, Shipping, Telecommunications, Tourism and other industries discussing innovative approaches that can be utilised to achieve the Forum Leaders vision of the Blue Pacific continent.
