By JYOTI PRATIBHA
The very successful inaugural Melanesian Spearhead Group road show and trade fair concluded yesterday.
The MSG higher representative Kaliopate Tavola has further extended an invitation to the exhibitors to participate in the Trade Pasifika 2014 exhibition.
Mr Tavola said such combined MSG market provides significant opportunities for trade in goods, services and investment.
“These business, trade and investment links already contribute towards the achievement of the Leaders’ decision of 2011 for the MSG to explore a common market- a regional market with freer flow of goods, services, investment and labour.”
He acknowledged that there were costs incurred by participating exhibitors from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands for their travel to Fiji.
Mr Tavola said that keeping this in mind, they would be suggesting that the trade fair and Trade Pasifika exhibitions take place every alternate year, so that the exhibitors undertook travelling once a year only.
The next MSG trade fair and road show would be held in PNG.
Mr Tavola also suggested the exhibitors to develop a “MSG made and MSG Buy” concept for the MSG private sector.
“Allow me to take this opportunity to urge all of you, including your chamber of commerce representatives to start exploring this idea for a collective branding under “MSG made” which would allow for improved trade opportunities, partnerships, cost-efficient alternatives and improved circulation of investment capital within the MSG market,” he said.
Some 38 exhibitors took part in this three day fair of which 35 were MSG companies.