Increasing sustainable economic development for the Pacific

Developing partnerships to increase sustainable economic development for the Pacific

Noumea, New Caledonia, 5 March 2013 - A new step was taken for the Pacific region today in Noumea with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance economic development. The MOU brings together two regional organisations with the same vision of sustainable economic development for the Pacific region: the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) – an intergovernmental organisation, and the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO) – which comprises national private sector organisations. The MOU is a demonstration of public and private partnership at regional level for the benefit of the Pacific Islands.

Both agencies have a leading role in their mandate, with some common areas such as human resources development and economic enhancement including private sector development. To more efficiently serve the Pacific, SPC and PIPSO have decided to increase their cooperation, in order to reduce overlap.

This collaboration will centre work and research on countries’ needs and priorities. Those needs and priorities, expressed during relevant meeting of Pacific Ministers and Forum Leaders, will lead SPC and PIPSO. Research will be conducted on each organisation’s strengths, they will complete themselves with facilitation of information and people exchange. This collaborative approach focusing on needs and priorities will highlight gaps or new priorities for consideration.

Dr Jimmie Rodgers, SPC’s Director–General, stated that PIPSO has a very important role in supporting private sector development in the Pacific Islands region, and that this partnership will be beneficial for both organisations. As a result of this partnership, PIPSO will be able to access SPC’s technical expertise across many of the sectors in which SPC works to support capacity development for the region’s private sector initiatives at national and regional level. It also enables SPC to work more closely with PIPSO and support its work for the region.

Mr Epa Tuoti, member of the Board of Directors for PIPSO, stated that the formalisation of this partnership signifies PIPSO’s important role in the region and the importance of public and private sector organisations working together at regional level. This partnership will see PIPSO collaborate more with SPC to improve the business environment and facilitate increased exports in key industries. He said that PIPSO looks forward to this new partnership.

More than two organisations, two networks are joining their efforts to serve the development of the Pacific region.

ENDS

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