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The New
Zealand Pacific Business Council is committed to two-way trade in the
Pacific, according to the council’s chairman, Gilbert Ullrich. It
involves the 26 countries of Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia –
American Samoa, Cook Islands, Commonwealth of Northern Marianas, Easter
Island (Rapanui), Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Guam, Hawaii,
Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island,
Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Pitcairn
Island, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu,
Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.
Speaking at the launch of next March’s Pacific Trade Expo in Manukau,
Mr Ullrich said the economies of all Pacific Island countries would be
more self sufficient if New Zealand fostered increased exports from
them.
An advocate of democracy, Mr Ullrich said a robust and transparent
democracy was just as important as building a strong economy, hence the
Expo’s theme --- ‘Joining us together, by trade’.
The event had the support of New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark.
It should be of interest that New Zealand currently exports over NZ$1
billion worth of “merchandise” to the 25 Pacific countries which make
up Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. In addition, it provides a
range of “services”, as well as investment in these territories, in
such areas as tourism, infrastructure, and other business ventures.
Conversely, these 25 Pacific countries send “merchandise”, especially
produce, to New Zealand, but it is in their “service” industries,
mainly tourism, that they depend on New Zealand visitors, for valuable
overseas earnings.
And with Greater Auckland being the single largest Pacific Island city
in the world, there is scope for interaction with Pacific Islanders,
who have made New Zealand their home. Many have excelled in music, art,
and sport, and there is a steadily growing Pacific business community.
Being for two full days, under one roof, the Expo will enable not only
trade buyers, but also the general public, to view both the goods and
services that they may wish to purchase, as well as enable them to
discuss the projects that exhibitors seek possible investment in. |
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