Japan has committed US$200,000 to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) for two regional projects that support economic development in the region, as part of Japan's annual support to PIFS activities.
4 February 2010: Japan has committed US$200,000 to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) for two regional projects that support economic development in the region, as part of Japan’s annual support to PIFS activities.
Japan’s funding aims to: support the establishment of the Business Development Fund to be managed by the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organization, with a view to strengthening the private sector through capacity building programs in product development, market research and promotional activities, as well as technical advisory services; and provide assistance to increase foreign direct investment in Forum Island Countries. The latter will be undertaken by the Forum Secretariat’s Economic Governance Programme, which will work closely with Pacific Islands Trade and Invest offices in Auckland, Sydney and Beijing, China, to identify investors and connect them with enterprise in Forum island countries. [PIFS press release]