16 February 2011: Trade Ministers of the Pacific members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) grouping have reconfirmed their commitment to the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA), during a meeting in Apia, Samoa.

PICTA seeks to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade within the region, and facilitate cooperation between the Parties with a view to the eventual creation of a single regional market among the Pacific Island economies.

Ministers confirmed the continuation of PICTA negotiations on trade in services (TIS), including a temporary labor mobility arrangement among Parties to PICTA, with a view to concluding them by the end of 2011. The fifth round of the TIS negotiations will be held in Palau, from 16-18 March 2011.

Ministers also considered the inclusion of government procurement into PICTA, and agreed on the need for improved transparency and efficiency of their governments’ procurement systems. [PIFS Press Release] [PIFS Webpage on PICTA] [Publication: PIFS Update on the PICTA TIS Negotiations]