Truss to visit Port Vila for Forum Trade Ministers' Meetings

Australian Government Minister for Trade, Warren Truss, will visit Port Vila from 1 to 3 August for the 2007 Pacific Islands Forum Trade Ministers’ Meeting.

Mr Truss said that a key agenda item for the meeting will be discussion of proposals for Australia, New Zealand, and the Forum island countries (FICs) to press ahead with regional trade liberalisation.

“The Forum has had a long-standing objective for a regional Free Trade Agreement to foster trade opportunities and drive stronger economic growth for island countries - helping them benefit from global trade,” Mr Truss said.

“The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) provides for regional free trade negotiations between Forum island countries and Australia and New Zealand should island countries negotiate free trade agreements with other developed countries,” he said.

Island countries have begun substantive negotiations with the European Union (EU), thereby triggering the requirement for consultations with Australia and New Zealand.

“This is another chance to help strengthen island economies through strengthening trade,” Mr Truss said.

In Port Vila, Mr Truss will also meet Prime Minister Lini and visit a recently-opened hospitality and tourism training facility which is part of the new Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) regional initiative.

This initiative will receive Australian Government funding of $149.5 million over four years.

The APTC is working in partnership with industry and regional governments to produce ‘work-ready’ Pacific Islands graduates with qualifications equivalent to Australian standards.

Mr Truss said that the Australian Government is providing assistance to help increase the number of urgently-needed technically-skilled workers in the region.

“This is a particularly strategic contribution in Vanuatu – given the considerable income derived in the region from tourism services,” he said.

Around 3,000 students will graduate from campuses throughout the region within the first four years of the APTC’s operation.

Media Inquiries: Minister Truss' office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555