Minister for Trade Premila Kumar says Kava is now an option for those who do not drink alcohol.

Kava is an international commodity with a number of countries around the world opening up Kava bars.

This was highlighted by Minister for Trade Premila Kumar as one of the outcomes recognized at the Pacific Island Forum Trade Ministers’ Meeting that concluded in Suva yesterday.

Kumar says Kava is now an option for those who do not drink alcohol.

“It’s no longer let’s sit and drink kava but it’s got medicinal value. So for that reason we would like to see kava bans lifted so that we can trade with our product which is available in the region and fetches a good price for our farmers.”

Forum Ministers have also endorsed a Pacific Aid for Trade Strategy to help boost regional exports.

“The whole idea of this document is to assist in taking trade forward or facilitating trade within the region and internationally. So there are number of things within the document which is of importance to us.”

Ministers’ also discussed emerging issues related to trade since it has implications on health and the environment as well.