The small South Pacific Island countries lack the right tools to increase trade and compete in the global market.
Trade Ministry, Permanent Secretary, Shaheen Ali says these island nations don’t have the right kind of infrastructure which includes roads, ports, airports along with digital set ups to increase trade.
Ali says there are some challenges that contribute to low export of goods and services overseas.
“The reason are often related to lack of industrialisation, regional integration. Lack of diversification of economies and strong dependency on one or two primary products. In addition, countries are geographically disadvantaged and separated by vast oceans such as the Pacific region and we still lack connectivity whether it’s related to transportation, IT or communications to name a few.”
He was speaking at a two day conference on Aid for Trade in Asia and the Pacific at Laucala Bay, Suva this morning.
