A New Zealand diplomat says she hopes this week's Return to Roots business mission to Samoa and Tonga will help improve the lives of people there.
The Pacific Trade and Investment Commission, or PITIC, is leading ten New Zealand based Pacific businesspeople to Samoa and Tonga this week as part of a mission aimed at encouraging investment.
The New Zealand High Commissioner to Samoa , Caroline Bilkey, hopes the mission will boost the private sector.
"The hope is that the mission will improve the income and the quality of life of the people in the Pacific region while we are building a strong, sustainable and competitive private sector. The New Zealand government is a very strong supporter of that objective."
Caroline Bilkey, New Zealand high commissioner to Samoa .
