Export enterprises to benefit from training workshop

MEDIA ALERT

Regional export enterprises to benefit from a training and consultation workshop

Friday 16 November 2012, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Noumea, New Caledonia –

A European Union-funded trade project, implemented by the Land Resources Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, will hold its first regional training and consultation workshop for the approved IACT-funded enterprises at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi, Fiji from 21 to 23 November.

The objective of the Increasing Agricultural Commodity Trade (IACT) project, which works with export enterprises, is to strengthen the export capacity of Pacific ACP countries in the primary industries of agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and livestock. This objective contributes to the goal of strengthening Pacific economic integration through trade. The project currently assists 27 ‘partner enterprises’ in a wide range of areas, including marketing, biosecurity, organics, processing, business development and production.

The workshop starts off with two days of marketing training, at the same time addressing the enterprises’ key marketing needs. IACT Export Marketing Officer, Mr Chris Cocker says, ‘The marketing component of the workshop is designed to provide one-to-one consultation clinics, as well as technical assistance in areas such as branding and labelling, website development, distribution channels, market research and marketing campaigns.’

He adds that SPC has invited three expert marketing consultants from New Zealand — Ms Helen Milner from Tardis Design & Advertising Co. Ltd; Ms Ruby Grant from Heilala Vanilla; and Ms Steller Muller from 4PI Marketing Communication — to assist in the effective delivery of this process. Trade representatives from Pacific Islands Trade and Invest offices in Australia, Japan and New Zealand have also been invited to consult with the enterprises and provide information on how to better access and position their products in these markets.

On the final day of the workshop, the enterprises will receive technical assistance and expert advice from the rest of the IACT professional team in the areas of biosecurity, organics, processing, business development, aquaculture and production.
IACT Team Leader Mr Samu Turagacati says that the workshop ‘is an excellent networking forum and a great opportunity for the IACT team to consult on a one-on-one basis with the enterprises, discuss common issues and plan a cooperative and inclusive business approach for individual enterprises. Furthermore, the workshop will assist the 27 enterprises in understanding the overall supply chain, address their key needs in the supply chain and strengthen their capability to export’.

ENDS

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