Fiji has been able to increase trade into the European market over the past decade through the European Union’s Economic Partnership Agreement.

This was highlighted at the EU-Pacific Trade Seminar held today at the University of the South Pacific.

The partnership agreement allows for Fiji and four other Pacific Nations to export products to the European market with free tariffs and quotas.

While speaking at the Trade Seminar Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau says international trade enables international competitiveness and Fiji endeavors to increase its international trade to promote our overall integration into the global economy.

“THE EU has been a traditional market for Fijian sugar, in recent years the reach for Fiji exports to the European Union has expanded. This includes fish, agriculture products, mineral water, garments, cosmetics that are exported to around 500 million people. Hence, the Economic Partnership Agreement offers opportunities for diversification and strengthening of our economic ties.”

Head of the European Union Delegation for the Pacific Sujiro Seam highlighted that the EU wants to deliver preferential access to businesses in Fiji and the Pacific for trade facilitation through the economic partnership.

“But our approach is really to have an open, free and fair trade. Europe is also the first donor worldwide of official development assistance by far because Europe provides more than half of the global development assistance and the Pacific benefits from that but what I would like to say is that beyond aid, beyond development assistance certainly trade, business and economics is the best engine to create jobs and growth.”

The one-day seminar looked at ways businesses in Fiji and the Pacific have benefited from the EU economic partnership agreement and ways to increase trade between the Pacific and the European Market.