Australia and Pacific delivering trade and development agreement

The Morrison Government is working to strengthen economic cooperation and development in the region, as trade ministers from the Pacific met today.

The virtual trade ministers’ meeting was the first since the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) entered into force on 13 December 2020.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said the PACER Plus agreement was an important part of Australia’s commitment to the Indo Pacific.

“The Pacific countries are our friends and neighbours and PACER Plus will make us all more successful and secure through working together to grow our economies, create jobs and enhance trade,” Mr Tehan said.

Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja said the PACER Plus meeting discussed the delivery of the $25 million development and economic work program, co-funded by Australia.

“PACER Plus will boost trade and attract investment across our region, supporting economic recovery across the Pacific, which we know has been hit hard by the pandemic,” said Minister Seselja.

Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and New Zealand are Parties to the Agreement. The remaining signatories that are yet to ratify are Nauru, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.  For more information on PACER Plus, refer to:  https://www.dfat.gov.au/PACER-Plus