ANZ backs Trade Pacifika
ANZ bank acting chief executive, Rakesh Ram hands over a thirty thousand dollar cheque to Trade Pacifika 2012 Organising committee chairman, Kaliopate Tavola yesterday. Photo: RONALD KUMAR.
By ELLEN STOLZ
ANZ, after signing a sponsorship memorandum with the Pacific Island Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO), has become the major sponsor for the 2012 Trade Pasifika expo.
Acting chief executive of ANZ, Rakesh Ram, said the sponsorship memorandum signing, which was to the amount of $30,000, gave ANZ the opportunity to partner with Trade Pasifika in this prestigious event.
The 2012 Trade Pasifika will be a three-day expo which will be held in Denarau from June 25 to 27.
“Our commitment to the region stretches back more than 130 years and in that time, we’re seen much social and economic development in the Pacific,” he said.
He said connections between Asia and the Pacific are increasing and the annual growth rate for China’s trade with the Pacific was more than 30 per cent from 2001 to 2008.
“In financial terms that’s an increase from $180 million in 2001 to more than $2.1 billion in 2008. So the Pacific businesses are well placed geographically to maximize the opportunities of this increased connection between Asia and the Pacific,” Mr Ram said.
Goods and services providers from Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu will exhibit a wide range of products including honey, pearls, coconut furniture, coffee and manufactured goods to name a few.
Chairman of Trade Pasifika 2012 organising committee, Kaliopate Tavola, said the finances would be directed
“This kind contribution by ANZ would help to cover costs for transport, accommodation, publicity in terms of making brochures and the costs incurred of hiring of the hall at the Sheraton in Nadi,” Mr Tavola said.
He also said there were additional charges in respect to freight fees and inspection costs with regards to the various exhibits that will be imported for the expo.
“We are expecting around 50 exhibitors and some will be bringing in their products that will be on display at the expo. While some of these exhibitors may be giving away a few of their display items, others will be incurring costs for shipping these back to their countries,” Mr Tavola said.
Mr Tavola also acknowledged the support of both private organisations like Air Pacific, Fiji TV, Air Terminal Services, Williams and Goslings and the Ministry of Industry and Trade as well as those like United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Melanesian Spearhead Group to name a few.
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