The Attorney-General and Minister for Industry and Trade, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (left) and the Permanent Secretary for Industry and Trade, Shaheen Ali (right), with a exhibitor during the Melanesian Spearhead Group Roadshow and Trade Fair this week.
By RACHNA LAL
The Melanesian Spearhead Group Roadshow and Trade Fair ended on Wednesday on a positive note at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island in Nadi.
The Permanent Secretary for Industry and Trade, Shaheen Ali, said a number of companies had managed to establish good initial contacts and business links through the event.
“We witnessed strong interest and potential for Kava, Noni and other niche products from Solomon Islands and Vanuatu,” he said.
“Fijian textile clothing and footwear (TCF) companies are exploring business links with Vanuatu and Solomon Islands,” he said.
“There is also scope for soft drinks and mineral water from Fiji to the other MSG countries.”
Mr Ali said Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands are also collaborating on exporting coffee to the region.
Event’s success
Over 40 companies and investment promotion agencies from Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu exhibited at the MSG Trade Fair.
Mr Ali said companies represented at the event came from a wide range of sectors.
These included producers and manufacturers of food products, building materials and home furnishing, scales, garments, footwear, beauty products and coffee, service providers – tourism and fire and retail sector.
Mr Ali said the event has received an overwhelming positive feedback, making the event a success in terms of progressing regional trade, business and co-operation.
“The inaugural MSG Investment Roadshow and Trade Fair has successfully boosted trade and investment in the region, which is the backbone for the MSG region’s growth and development,” he said.
“The event will now become a regular event to drive intra-MSG trade and investment.
“It has put in place a strong partnership between businesses and stakeholders that will provide the impetus for a strong and vibrant future for the MSG region.”
Opportune platform
The Attorney-General and Minister for Industry and Trade, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, said the Trade Fair was an opportune platform for MSG business community to promote their goods and services.
“This is especially now, with the MSG countries trading freely under the MSG Trade Agreement,” he said.
He said New Caledonia’s presence at the event indicated potential for MSG to grow and capitalise on business opportunities with New Caledonia and vice versa.