In order to grow our Trade in Services, our private sector needs secure, consistent and guaranteed access to markets in our region and beyond.
This was highlighted by the Permanent Secretary for Trade, Cooperatives, SME’s and Communications Shaheen Ali while opening the Advanced Pacific Regional Trade in Services and Project Proposal Workshop.
Ali says this workshop comes at a timely and crucial juncture, as they collectively seek to advance their understanding and capacities in negotiating and implementing trade agreements, particularly in the services sector.
He says for the Pacific to secure market access in other markets as well, there is a need to enter into more regional and bilateral trading arrangements with other parties.
He adds as we all know, the Multilateral Trade in Services negotiations have been somewhat stagnant since the Uruguay Rounds in 1995.
Ali says, therefore, that Regional and bilateral trade agreements will play an important role in extending the services export market of the Pacific and the world.
The Advanced Pacific Regional Trade in Services and Project Proposal Workshop continues today at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.
