New Zealand welcomes Pacific trade agreement Featured
New Zealand Minister of Trade and Representatives from Pacific Islands
22 April, 2017. New Zealand welcomes the successful conclusion of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER Plus) negotiations in Brisbane on 20 April.
New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay called the conclusion of negotiations a landmark day for trade and the sustainable economic development of the Pacific.
New Zealand’s Acting High Commissioner to Tonga, Elena Procuta, sees it as an important component of New Zealand’s close relationship with Tonga and ongoing support for sustainable economic development across the region.
“PACER Plus aims to create jobs and increase living standards in the Pacific region. It will increase Pacific countries’ capacity to produce goods and services that they can sell competitively in international markets, and will encourage greater investment in the region”, says Ms Procuta.
“We appreciate Tonga’s ongoing support for PACER Plus. Now that negotiations are concluded, we look forward to working with the Tongan Government to progress PACER Plus so that its benefits can be realised.”
A signing ceremony will take place in Tonga later this year to formally approve the agreement.
