The Pacific Trade and Invest (P.T.I.) Export, Trade and Investment Mission Business Forum was opened at the Taumeasina Island Resort yesterday. 

Leading the Australian delegation of buyers, impact investors, Pacific diaspora and labour mobility executives is P.T.I. Trade & Investment Commissioner, Caleb Jarvis. 

In partnership with the Samoa High Commission to Australia, the Forum aims to foster economic and business relations between potential Australian investors and the local private sector.  

The Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour, Lautafi Fio Purcell, opened the Forum by emphasising the Government’s support in providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. 

“It is my hope that this mission will result in genuine partnerships that will expand trade and investment for Samoa with resultant employment generation,” he said. 

“I hope this mission will result in increased visibility in number and variety of Samoan products on Australian supermarket shelves.” 

“The Government will continue to pursue solutions to address the challenges of Australia’s import restrictions affecting exports from Samoa.” 

Lautafi acknowledged P.T.I. and the Australian delegation, including Samoa’s High Commissioner to Australia, Hinauri Petana for their collaborative work to promote Samoa’s interest in Australia. 

Mr. Jarvis said it is important that the business mission delivers to the needs of Samoa’s private sector and the priorities of the Samoa Government, with the aim of creating tangible outcomes for all involved. 

“This mission has been months in planning. From our initial scoping mission, we saw linkages between export and impact investment to help businesses grow and an opportunity to bring Samoa a diverse business delegation, identifying key Australian buyers, investors and their understanding of the Samoa market opportunities.”

“We are really excited about the opportunities that are going to occur through connecting our Australian delegation directly with exporters and potential impact investment businesses in Samoa.” 

As part of P.T.I’s Digital Trade programme, P.T.I. Australia will be hosting their first e-commerce workshop today.