AUCKLAND (Pacific Media Watch): Out goes the tired old image of the Pacific as a “honeymoon destination”. In comes a new perception for New Zealand industries of smaller islands in the region as "viable business partners".
At least, that's what the Auckland-based Pacific Cooperation Foundation programme would like to see.
Development manager Leaupepe Taala Ralph Elika says the PCF is determined to ensure that a better business image prevails.
The PCF is an organisation dedicated to promoting business, trade and economic development in the region.
But with new technological advancements, there is still room for improvement. Melanesia is seen as the growth area.
PCF’s chief executive Laulu Mac Leauanae says the ultimate goal is to allow Pacific countries to maintain their own economies “without assistance”.
“The ideal is that the businesses within the Pacific mean that there’s a sustainable economic infrastructure or economic stability for the region itself, that the region won’t necessarily be dependent on donor funding”.
This is a long-term goal, in which Leaupepe says New Zealand has a key part to play.
“We really want to reinforce that relationship and ensure that we can work together as partners, as opposed to New Zealand just being the big brother, always looking out for the small Pacific”.
Laulu believes there is a strong attitude in New Zealand that “as New Zealand prospers” the whole Pacific region does too, and New Zealander’s are committed to making sure the Pacific is being taken care of.
With economic growth happening, especially in the Melanesian area, Laulu says this will have an effect on neighbouring countries.
“The Melanesian countries, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, they’re the growth areas and they are the exciting areas that we are all hoping will succeed and then pull all of the region together with that success."
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 New Zealand Licence.
Alistar Kata
