Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia, an agency of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), facilitated $A76.5 million ($F114.32m) worth of trade deals across its two distinct streams – export and tourism – and a record $A16.3m ($F24.36m) in investment deals.

PTI issued a statement last week revealing its achievements in its newly published 2023 annual report.

“PTI Australia’s trade team works with businesses across the Blue Pacific to create and strengthen avenues for growth in the Australian market,” PTI stated.

“This work includes introductions to buyers, importers and the digital tools and know how necessary to connect with consumers.

“Further, the investment team connects international investors with investment-ready opportunities across Pacific region, playing a huge role in business and employment development.”

In 2023, the agency assisted 725 businesses across the Pacific, 357 of which were women-led, facilitated 203 export deals and provided 850 services.

“PTI Australia has gone from strength to strength in recent years,” said PTI Australia’s officer in charge, Jeremy Grennell.

“We have fortified our operational models and are continuously looking for ways to improve, to reach more clients and create more contacts within the Australian market that are fruitful for Pacific businesses.”

He said last year, the organisation’s efforts were focused on learning more about global digital solutions and connecting clients to them, which “had a remarkable impact on our results”.

“We reinforced our own digital infrastructure, as well as facilitated online learning, sales funnels and more.”

PTI Australia’s tourism manager, Onorina Fugawai said for Pacific tourism operators, remaining adaptable to the rapid changes in both the global contexts and the online offerings was key to their growth in 2023.

“Last year was significant for the tourism industry as it emerged from an elongated period of pandemic disruptions.

“Along with ongoing recovery and labour issues, many Pacific operators were also undergoing their own digital transformations, looking for ways to book guests directly, engage in wider payment methods, and to connect with wide-reaching audiences,’ Ms Fugawai said.

PTI Australia’s digital tourism program, which equips Pacific tourism operators with the tools and know-how needed to get their businesses securely online, played a large role in that shift, Ms Fugawai said.

Founded in 1979, PTI Australia is a PIFS agency funded by the Australian Government and facilitates trade and investment into the Pacific Islands.