trade agreements

As many as seven new deals have been agreed and signed between China and Samoa, ahead of a summit on China-Pacific Islands economic cooperation.

The China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum was expected to be the announcement platform for Beijing’s US$1trn Belt and Road initiative, which intends to offer cheap loans to developing countries.

Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua is leading China’s delegation in Apia, the capital of Samoa. The meeting takes place just one month after Solomon Islands and Kiribati formed diplomatic relations with Beijing.

FBC reports newly elected chair of PIPSO Howard Politini said the lobby group will work towards the effective implementation of the various trade deals that exist.

Politini says the only way around some of the red tape and technical issues is continued dialogue.

He adds that the private sector will continue to encourage better trade facilitation among Pacific Island neighbours.

PIPSO sees PACER Plus negotiations as one agreement that needs to come to some form of finality.