The first event of its kind, a trilateral trade meeting has been held to celebrate a Pacific partnership.

Trade Minister Todd McClay hosted Fijian Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica and Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell for trilateral trade talks in Rotorua over the weekend.

“The meeting was an opportunity to understand how we can all best support each other. As friends and partners, we want to increase the benefits of trade for the people of Fiji and the broader region,” said McClay.

Trade Minister Todd McClay hosted Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell for trilateral trade talks with Fijian Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica in Rotorua over the weekend. Photo: Supplied.

“This is especially important given Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon have set an ambitious goal to hit $2 billion of two-way trade by 2030,” said McClay.

The trilateral talks included discussion of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus and how it could support investment and jobs, improve living standards, and deepen Pacific trade connections.

Trade Minister Todd McClay hosted Fijian Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister Hon Manoa Kamikamica and Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell for trilateral trade talks in Rotorua over the weekend. Photo: Supplied.

The Fiji Government has completed the first rounds of initial consultations on PACER Plus and is currently completing its feasibility assessment. Fiji plans to undertake further sectoral focus group consultations to ensure there is broad stakeholder input and any decision taken is to the benefit of the people Fiji and the region.

The three ministers noted their intention to support Fiji’s economy in areas such as trade infrastructure, education and upskilling, economic diversification, technology transfer and investments in order to increase the benefits of trade to Fiji’s people.

Trade Minister Todd McClay hosted Fijian Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica and Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell for trilateral trade talks in Rotorua over the weekend. Photo: Supplied.

The ministers also addressed Australia, New Zealand and Fiji’s collaborative efforts to encourage World Trade Organisation members to ratify the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, which encourages ethical fishing practices.

The trade ministers released a trilateral joint statement after the meeting.