PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 22 SEPTEMBER 1978
TRADE COMMISSION FOR THE SOUTH PACIFIC
The South Pacific Forum has welcomed an Australian Government
offer to finance the establishment in Australia of a Trade
Commission for the South Pacific under Australia's aid
programme. The off'er was made at the South Pacific Forum in Niue this
week. Australia will fund and help set up a South Pacific Trade
Commission, possibly located in Sydney. The Trade Commission
will identify products from the island countries of the South
Pacific Forum which can be successfully exported to Australia,
and will provide commercial information and practical expertise
to aid the islands' marketing efforts.
It will also help Australian companies make contact with island
governments and private companies in connection with other
Australian trade and industry-oriented development programmes
designed to help the islands.
Australia has suggested that the Trade Commission'be run under
the auspices of the South Pacific Bureau for Economic Cooperation
( SPEC) and is prepared to make up to $ 150,000 available on an
annual basis for an initial five-year period to meet the
Commission's expenses. The Forum has requested the Director
of SPEC to enter into consultations with Australia on practical
arrangements. The proposal reflects Australia' s concern that the islands
should not be handicapped in using existing market opportunities
in Australia because of lack of representation or practical
experience and expertise.
The offer to fund a Trade Commission has been made in an effort
to overcome these problems.
The ability to market competitively is one of the main factors
affecting the islands' development prospects. Some 97 percent
of island products imported in Australia currently enter on a
duty free basis.