25 Sep 2009

NZ to fund Pacific trade adviser position

4:11 pm on 25 September 2009

The New Zealand Government is to provide $US1.9 million to support Pacific Island Forum countries in the Pacer Plus trade negotiations.

Pacer Plus is a proposed comprehensive free trade and economic development agreement that will be negotiated by members of the Forum, except Fiji, which is suspended.

The New Zealand funding will be provided for three years and will be used to help establish the office of chief trade adviser, Radio New Zealand International reports.

The office will provide the island countries with technical skills to negotiate terms with Australia and New Zealand, who want to broaden an existing regional free trade agreement.