A DIALOGUE that will provide an opportunity for the private sector and civil society representatives along with trade officials from across the region will discuss the contents of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus Agreement currently being negotiated among Pacific Islands Forum members.

And more than 80 participants from across the Pacific region will be convening in Nadi tomorrow for the two-day 5th Non-State Actors Dialogue Workshop on the PACER Plus.

The meeting is jointly organised by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the office of the chief trade adviser, which provides support to Forum Island Countries in the PACER Plus negotiations.

“The dialogue will provide an opportunity for the private sector and civil society representatives, along with trade officials from across the region, to discuss the contents of the PACER Plus agreement currently being negotiated amongst forum members,” said officer-in-charge at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Shiu Raj.

Mr Raj said the discussions were expected to also focus on issues relating to the implementation of trade agreements in the Pacific region and the impact that PACER Plus could have in the region, including ways in which the Pacific Islands development needs could be addressed.

“Harmonising and streamlining the various regional trade initiatives can help reduce the administrative cost of implementation,” Dr Edwini Kessie, chief trade adviser stated.

“It can also help micro, small and medium enterprises better penetrate regional markets and place them at the centre of trade co-operation. PACER Plus seeks to achieve this goal.”