Food producers from around the Pacific region are coming together this week to attend a trade negotiations workshop in Auckland.
The workshop that's organised by the Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commission will coincide with this week's Pacific Trade Expo in Auckland and the Pasifika Festival at the weekend.
The organisation's trade marketing manager, Louisa Sifakula, says the workshop aims to strengthen the delegates' knowledge of trade agreements and policies.
"What we're looking to do is help build the capacity of our Pacific leaders to be able to negotiate effectively on behalf of their countries when they go to these trade negotiations."
Louisa Sifakula says trade negotiation skills will become vital for the Pacific to compete on an international level.
