The Office of the Pacific Chief Trade Advisor is warning countries not to expect immediate results from the PACER Plus trade agreement.
The deal on free trade in goods and services involving the island countries and New Zealand and Australia is expected to conclude next year.
The Chief Trade Advisor, Edwini Kessie says PACER Plus is simply a regional trading platform which aims to inspire investor confidence in the region.
Edwini Kessie Photo: Supplied
But he says once in place it is still up to Pacific countries to make the most of the free trade environment offered.
"The conclusion of the agreement will not automatically bring benefits. At the end of the day it would provide them with a platform to expand trade and then attract investment and if they do that then I believe that PACER Plus would really assist these countries going forward."
