8 May 2013

Samoa ratifies PICTA services protocol

8:44 pm on 8 May 2013

Samoa has become the first nation to ratify the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement's Trade in Services Protocol.

Samoa's deputy prime minister Fonotoe Nuafesili Pierre Lauofo says trade in services is increasingly a key contributor to Samoa's economy and its international trade.

He says the ratification of the PICTA Trade in Services Protocol reaffirms Samoa's desire to expand business links with other countries in the Pacific Islands Forum.

The Forum's secretary general, Tuiloma Neroni Slade, says the protocol supports the Pacific Plan's goals of enhancing and stimulating economic growth and sustainable development though regional actions.

Six Forum nations need to ratify the protocol before it can come into force.