The European Union (EU) in collaboration with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) has launched the new Pacific EU Trade website yesterday.
The website, developed under the Strengthening Pacific Intra-Regional and International Trade (SPIRIT) project, seeks to facilitate the growth of trade relations within the Pacific and between the Pacific and EU member states.
Assistant Minister for Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics Esrom Immanuel commended the efforts and noted the convenience the website would bring to existing and potential SME exporters in Fiji and the greater Pacific.
“The private sector as the engine of growth is critical in the development of an economy, including Fiji’s.
“We must identify opportunities to leverage the role of the private sector across the economy and help spur private sector led recovery,” he said.
The website offers easy access to information about current EU projects in the Pacific and provides interested parties with up-to-date information on upcoming events and initiatives.
Already housing pages for the SPIRIT, SAFE (Safe Agricultural trade Facilitation through Economic integration), PEUMP (Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership) and IMPACT (Improving Pacific Islands Customs and Trade) projects, the website allows users to contact project teams.
The website also hosts a social platform for discussion, collaboration and networking within subject groups such as the ‘Organic Certification in the Pacific’ group, the ‘Kava Tok’ group and the general Pacific EU Trade Forum.
The website can be accessed at pacificeutrade.com
