.png)
Free, Prosperous & Resilient Pacific Communities
Latest News
Trade Tok - IMPACT Project
CELEBRATING DIGITILIZATION IN PACIFIC CUSTOMS AND TRADE
Fiji Government Approves the Full Implementation of the EU Pacific Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA)
Suva, Fiji, 21 August 2024 - Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Trade, and Honourable Manoa Kamikamica, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications of Fiji are pleased to announce the further strengthening of bilateral trade relations, through the full implementation of the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and the Pacific States.
EU on X
🌏🇫🇯 EU-Fiji trade gets a boost! We’ve now fully implemented our Economic Partnership Agreement between 🇪🇺 and Pacific States 🏝️. This means: ✅ More opportunities for businesses & investors ✅ More support for local island economies
RMI goes live with ASYCUDAWorld
The Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) has upgraded its customs processes by implementing the cutting-edge ASYCUDAWorld system backed by the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The system automates customs processes, offering numerous benefits to the trading community in RMI, including the Ministry of Finance’s Customs Division and the Government.
ASYCUDAWorld enhances efficiency, transparency, and improved revenue while reducing time and costs associated with customs processes for the stakeholders. Additionally, it aligns RMI’s customs operations with international standards, most significantly the introduction of the Harmonized System for goods classification, further facilitating global trade and ensuring better data quality and accuracy.
The digital transformation is supported by the European Union’s (EU) Improving Pacific Islands Customs and Trade (IMPACT) Project, implemented by UN Trade and Development’s ASYCUDA Pacific Programme, which aimed at increasing and enhancing regional trade in the Pacific. During the launch, the Minister for Finance of the Republic of Marshall Islands, Mr. David Paul, emphasised on the Government’s commitment to enabling conducive business environment through the innovations in the country.
Providing an overview of the transition journey, the Secretary of Finance, Ms. Ayako Yamaguchi-Eliou, noted that until now, the Customs Division operated without a comprehensive IT system.“We rely on manual methods which limits our ability to address other customs processes effectively. This in turn hampers our compliance with international standards,” she said.“Automation is expected to significantly boost the productivity of our Customs Division, which in turn will enable us to collect duties and trade statistics with greater accuracy; thus providing timely and satisfactory service to all end-users and assist informed planning,” Ms. Yamaguchi-Eliou explained.
The Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to the Pacific, Mr. Maurizio Cian, congratulated the RMI government for the work done to make the implementation possible. Mr. Cian stated that the EU, through the IMPACT Project, aimed to support Pacific States to digitally connect regionally and with the rest of the world to enhance trade.“This system makes it easy to comply with international standards, collect customs revenue, save time and reduce paperwork; therefore, it is a win-win situation for the government, private sector and for all operators,” Mr. Cian highlighted. He further emphasized the continued commitment of the EU in promoting trade development in the Pacific.
Customs officials and the ASYCUDA Project team members from the Ministry of Finance, Customs Division at the Republic of Marshall Islands at the launch of the ASYCUDAWorld.© RMI Government
Additionally, the Regional Coordinator for the United Nations Trade and Development, ASYCUDA Programme – Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Jayvee Santos, emphasized that beyond its numerous benefits, ASYCUDA would facilitate smoother international trade and help RMI meet its regional and international trade obligations, ultimately benefiting the economy as a whole.
Mr. Santos further reminded the participants during the launch that “automating customs services does not come without its challenges; there will be a period of adjustment and learning, however the benefits from the transformation are substantial in the long term.”The United Nations Resident Coordinator for the Micronesia Sub-Region (Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Kiribati), Mr. Jaap van Hierden, acknowledged the efforts of the RMI Government, UNCTAD, and the stakeholders in enabling the transformative change.
Following the launch in Majuro, the system will be rolled out in Ebeye in September 2024.RMI became the 15th Pacific nation to deploy ASYCUDA and to automate its customs processes, successfully concluding one of the key goals of the IMPACT project: to standardize and simplify customs operations in the region. About ASYCUDAWorld: ASYCUDAWorld is a cutting-edge customs management system by UN Trade and Development aimed at simplifying trade and customs processes.About the IMPACT Project: Funded by the European Union, the IMPACT project seeks to enhance customs operations through technological advancements and capacity building.
Source: https://pacific.asycuda.org/
Nauru's Validation Workshop on its First Foreign Investment Regime Paves a New Strategic Direction for Policymakers
13 August 2024 - EU's Head of Mission of the EU Delegation for the Pacific, Ambassador Barbara Plinkert, delivered the keynote address at the workshop during her official visit to Nauru this week to present her credentials to the Government of Nauru.
Nauru's Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Development, Ms. Novena Itsimaera, officiated at the opening ceremony, which witnessed high representation from the government, private sector, and other key stakeholders.
The workshop was chaired by Nauru's Foreign Investment Adviser, Mr. Laben Taldon, with consultants from Ernst and Young spearheading the discussions, with a high level of engagement from the participants.
The PIFS-SPIRIT Team Leader, Ms. Setaita Tupua, delivered the closing remarks, marking the successful conclusion of the workshop. This activity paves the pathway to identifying the immediate trade and investment-related policy gaps that need to be addressed and aimed at heralding a new strategic direction for Nauru's sustainable development objectives and implementation.
Ambassador Plinkert meets with Nauru's Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Development, Ms. Novena Itsimaera (far right) and Nauru's Foreign Investment Adviser, Mr. Laben Taldon (second from right).
Pacific Islands Standards Week 2024 - A Resounding Capacity Building and Peer-to-Peer Learning Success
13 August 2024—The Pacific Islands Standards Week (PISW) 2024 wrapped up on Friday, 9 August, in Wellington, New Zealand. Forty regional participants were immersed in five days of training sessions, workshops, and stakeholder activities to enhance standardization and conformance in the Pacific.
A total of 44 delegates participated in PISW, half of the regional delegates being women. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s SPIRIT project funded 29 of the delegates' participation.
The Pacific Islands Standards Committee convened its 10th regional meeting, and the Technical Committees also met during this second PISW. The event presented a unique opportunity for networking with national standards bodies and peer-to-peer learning for regional focal points, with guest speakers from across New Zealand’s standards and conformance system, as well as Standards Australia.
Of the peer learning and networking opportunities during the week, Ms Leyanii Livu, a Standards Officer at the Vanuatu Bureau of Standards, said, “we have learned a lot from Standards New Zealand, Standards Australia, and other Pacific siblings, like the big island nations like Fiji and Papua New Guinea. We as small island nations rely and depend on them. [We] look at their experiences and learn from them.”
Ms Kiri Ataera, Director of Implementation and Planning for the Ministry of Infrastructure in the Cook Islands, added, “the most important thing that’s been echoed throughout the week is making Pacific voices heard. So no one is left behind. Giving the Pacific people a voice in the standards forum. Allowing us to develop our own standards that are specific to our needs and our uses.”
The workshop on writing requirements by contextualising drafting [of standards] principles gave participants the opportunity to practically apply the principles learned to their current standards projects.
Source: https://pacific.asycuda.org/
Ms Sogoing Denano, a Lecturer at PNG University of Technology, shared "I have been involved quite a long time, but the process of drafting the standards, and the words used, has been something new that I learned and I appreciate that.” Brian Fitzgerald, Technical Lead of Standards & Regulation at Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA), delivered a workshop on “The link between energy efficiency and international standards” to help align with international standards and allow for faster and more cost-effective solutions to improving energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and lower peak electricity use.
Ms Ethel Mapulo, Director of Environmental Health Department, Solomon Islands, reiterated the centrality of climate change to standards setting. “If there is anything that I take back home, its climate change and how do we sort of relate that to the work we do.
I know that climate change is a cross-cutting issues in many areas of our work. So in terms of health in the Solomon Islands, it’s a new area that probably I would be looking into.” PISW 2024 was developed, planned, and executed in partnership with Standards New Zealand (SNZ), the Pacific Islands Standards Committee (PISC), and the Pacific Quality Infrastructure (PQI) Initiative through the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).
The event was hosted by Standards New Zealand as part of their Pacific programme, funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to enhance standardisation and conformance capacities in Forum Island Countries. The PISW 2024 follows the well-received Pacific Islands Laboratory Week in March in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
The next regional event, the Pacific Islands Quality Policy workshop, is expected to take place in October or November this year. The PQI Unit of PIFS is responsible for leading and coordinating the implementation of the PQI Initiative.
This effort is supported through collaboration with the EU-ACP Business Friendly Programme - "Supporting business-friendly and inclusive national and regional policies and strengthening productive capabilities and value chains" implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and receives financial backing from the European Union through the SPIRIT Project.End
Launch of Phase 2 of Trade Data/Statistics Collection in the Pacific
for the Regional Trade Statistics Database
12 August 2024 - Watch this short video/reel by the PIFS-SPIRIT Project's Consultant and International Trade Policy and Data Expert, Dr. Evious Zgovu, on the importance of establishing the Regional Trade Statistics Database (RTSD)—a standalone Key Result Area (KRA) or project deliverable. Phase 1 of the trade data collection and transposition was completed in 2023. Phase 2 is currently active and will be completed by February 2025. The RTSD will be hosted by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Nasese, Suva, Fiji.
Your PRISE Quarterly Newsletter June 2024 Issue is Here!
Tonga's Mapping of Sustainable Trade and Economic Development Pathways Enhanced through the Development of a Project Fiche
8 August 2024, Nuku’alofa—Tonga has embarked on a Project Fiche initiative that focuses on developing various sectors critical to reforming Tonga's trade and economic landscape. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) is providing technical assistance for the development of the Project Fiche, as requested by the Government of Tonga, through the SPIRIT project.
The in-country consultations will take place from August 4th to 9th, 2024.Facilitated by PIFS SPIRIT Trade Adviser for Polynesia, Stephen Musubire, the national consultations will be led by Tonga's Ministry of Trade and Economic Development and experts from KVA Consult Ltd and will include Tonga's public and private sector stakeholders.
Key areas of potential support identified include agricultural production, export facilitation, and private sector capacity building. Mrs. Poinisetia Paongo, Acting CEO of the Ministry of Trade and External Development (MTED), said that she was "proud to announce that our Project Fiche initiative aligns seamlessly with the regional 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, laying a strong foundation for sustainable economic growth and regional integration."
"By leveraging opportunities within the EU market, we are not only enhancing Tonga's trade capabilities but also ensuring our policies contribute to a thriving, interconnected region. The Ministry of Trade and Economic Development is dedicated to leading this initiative with a strategic vision and a focus on delivering long-term benefits for our nation and the wider Pacific community."A detailed and comprehensive Project Fiche report is expected to be finalised by October 2024.
This report will also include a systematic approach to Tonga's engagement with development partners to minimise duplication and promote Tonga's trade and sustainable development objectives.The development of a Project Fiche for the provision of medium—to long-term support projects aims to increase the private sector's export readiness and competitiveness for the EU market.
This activity is supported by the European Union-funded SPIRIT Project at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).
.jpg)
Consultations for Phase II of the Regional Trade Statistics Database Successfully Underway in the Region
.jpg)
PIFS-SPIRIT Consultant Dr. Evious Zgovu and SPIRIT Project team members Philip Mercado and Anuragh Narayan conducted a national workshop in Kiribati with Kiribati trade and customs officials on data collection and transposition for the Regional Trade Statistics Database to be hosted by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
Consultations with data stakeholders in the region are currently underway for Phase II of the Collection and Transposition of PACPS Trade Statistics for the Regional Trade Statistics Database (RTSD). The consultations began with a sensitization workshop jointly organized by the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and Kiribati’s Ministry for Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MTCIC) on 6 August 2024 in Tarawa, Kiribati.
In her keynote address at the workshop, MTCIC Senior Assistant Secretary, Ms. Areau Henry, expressed her appreciation for the intervention, stating that “Kiribati is a small island developing state, facing unique challenges in terms of economic growth and development. Having reliable, accurate, and timely trade data is essential for understanding our economic performance, identifying opportunities, and informing effective policymaking. The RTSD will provide Kiribati with a valuable tool to analyze trade patterns, assess market access, and track the impact of trade policies. This information will be instrumental in supporting our efforts to diversify our economy, increase exports, and attract foreign investment.
Following the sensitization workshop, specific capacity-building training was provided by consultant Dr. Evious Zgovu, SPIRIT Database Officer Mr. Anuragh Narayan, and facilitated by PIFS Trade Adviser Mr. Philip Mercado. The training will inform Kiribati’s customs and trade officials of how to navigate and utilise the RTSD for their policymaking and trade data analysis and guidance to facilitate their data submissions toward RTSD. The PIFS RTSD team is also scheduled to conduct in-country consultations in Palau and Nauru.
Phase II of the Collection and Transposition of PACPS Trade Statistics for the RTSD is an activity under the European Union-funded SPIRIT project implemented by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).
Ninth Meeting of the EU-Pacific interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA) Trade Committee Meeting 6-7 February 2024, Apia, Samoa
Joint Conclusions and Communiqué
EU PRISE and PEUMP Programmes Launch Promotional Video
Trade Tok - IMPACT Project
Risk Management in Trade
EU PRISE Programme Launches Scoping Study on developing the Kava-Based Pharmaceutical/Nutraceutical Industry and Digitising the Kava Value Chain to Support Smallholder Kava Farmers in the Pacific
Chief Guest, Fiji's Permanent Secretary for Trade, Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr. Shaheen Ali delivers his Opening Remarks at the meeting.
A scoping study on the development of a kava-based pharmaceutical/nutraceutical industry in the Pacific was launched during an initial meeting on 28 September at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji.
The chief guest, Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Trade, Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr. Shaheen Ali shared deep and useful insights on Fiji’s policies and future direction on developing the kava value chain, the importance of protecting its intellectual property rights as a product unique to the Pacific region and how value-adding raw kava to processed or semi-processed products in the Pacific region before exporting them to international markets increases its commercial value, provides employment and income generation opportunities for our people, lifting people out of poverty, among other benefits.
© 2023 | All Rights Reserved | Created by PIF SPIRIT Project
This website is funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.