2008 Pacific Trade Expo

News release - 12/02/2008

2008 PACIFIC TRADE EXPO

5 & 6 March 2008
Waitakere Trusts Stadium

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Local companies are snapping up the opportunity to meet buyers from one of New Zealand's most important export markets, the Pacific Islands - without leaving New Zealand. They will be exhibiting at the 2008 Pacific Trade Expo, held 5 and 6 March at the Waitakere Trusts Stadium, Auckland.

Organised by the New Zealand Pacific Business Council (NZPBC) every two years, the Expo brings together over 100 exhibitors and buyers from a broad cross-section of industries and services from Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia and New Zealand.

Visitors
All leaders of Pacific countries and territories have been invited to take part. Confirmed attendees include the Governor of American Samoa, Prime Minister of Tonga and the Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa. The New Caledonia Trade Minister will lead a delegation of almost thirty officials and private sector representatives.

Expo Facilitator, Mr George Margetts, was involved in the previous Expo. "The 2006 Expo was successful and a learning curve. This year the venue is larger and we've invited plenty of buyers from the Pacific."

Pacific Auckland
"There is a large Pacific presence in the Auckland region, so we are delighted that the city councils of Auckland, Manukau and Waitakere are major sponsors of this event, together with the New Zealand government" says Expo Director, Ms Elisabeth Yearbury. NZPBC staff and members have travelled to Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu to promote the event which has been timed to compliment the Celebrate Pasifika Festival.

Forum Workshops
Throughout the two-day event, forums and workshops will cover such varied topics as "The New Era in Pacific Branding" and the Recognised Seasonal Employers Scheme.

In order to put into practice its ethos of two-way trade and investment, the NZPBC has been careful to tailor topics to both the local and overseas audience. For the New Zealand companies there are seminars such as "Banking and Investment Prospects in the Pacific" and "Helping Small Businesses to Export to the Pacific". The presentation on "Bio-Security and Food Safety Regulations" is sure to be well attended by Pacific visitors.

New Caledonia will hold its own workshop on business opportunities in New Caledonia including new energy, agriculture and tourism.

Business Centre
A private business lounge will be available complete with communication facilities and refreshments. Both the Business Lounge and the Forum Workshops are provided courtesy of Expo partner, ANZ Bank.

"In 2007, New Zealand's exports to the Pacific island countries were in excess of a billion dollars," says Ms Yearbury. "There's a large market right on our doorstep, and we must make sure the doors are kept open."

ENDS

Website: www.nzpbc.co.nz

© Scoop Media