Joint Media Release
Hon Simon Crean MP, Minister for Trade
Hon Bob McMullan MP, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance
17 June, 2009
Visit to Samoa for the 2009 Pacific Islands Forum Trade Ministers' Meeting
Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, and Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, will represent Australia at the annual Forum Trade Ministers' Meeting in Apia, Samoa, on 18 and 19 June (AEST).
A key aspect of this year's annual discussion will be the prospective PACER Plus trade and economic agreement between Pacific Islands Forum countries (including Australia and New Zealand). Forum Leaders called last year for a path forward with a view to commencing negotiations from the Forum meeting in Cairns this August.
"Our goal for the region is greater economic integration and to boost economic growth and the starting point is PACER Plus," Mr Crean said.
"We recognise trade is fundamental to any country's economic growth - no matter what stage of development.
"The key is to enable countries to engage in trade and that is why PACER Plus is an important regional initiative. Through capacity building, we want to enable countries within our region to be competitive enough and productive enough to take advantage of new or increased market access opportunities.
"The global economic crisis makes it all the more urgent that we move ahead with regional economic integration and build economic resilience in the region.
"At this upcoming meeting of Ministers, we will be discussing a commitment to commence negotiations on PACER Plus from the August Leaders meeting this year. We have set no timetable for the negotiations, but remain of the view that starting talks is the best way to move forward.
"A number of my regional counterparts expressed this same sense of urgency when we met informally in Auckland on 9 May," Mr Crean said.
"Australia is already helping Forum Island Countries to participate in PACER Plus discussions," Mr McMullan said.
"In addition to providing specific technical assistance to help their negotiators, we have also made available funding for each Forum Island Country to commission research to identify priorities for their engagement in the negotiations.
"The Australian Government has also indicated a willingness to do more to assist, and to ensure coordination between these efforts and other initiatives that are already underway," Mr McMullan said.
Media Inquiries: Mr Crean's office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555 - Austrade 0425 354 972