Samoa's prime minister has called for governments to increase their support of private sector organisations in the Pacific region.
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi spoke at the launch of the first Pacific Regional Small Medium and Micro-Enterprises Forum.
The Forum is aimed at creating more opportunities in the sector, as envisaged by the Pacific Plan.
He says he fully supports efforts by the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation or PIPSO to have a forum, with funding support from the EU's private sector arm.
Tuilaepa says with the government support, successful participation in international trade and investment and strong domestic economic activities can occur.
"Pacific Island governments collectively must also pursue outcomes that are beyond individual countries to achieve alone. Such as in negotiating trade access arrangements and obtaining resource packages that directly help private sector businesses become competitively stronger."
Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
