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Forum Trade Ministers to meet in Pohnpei, FSM

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): March 16, 2010 - Ministers and Officials in charge of trade and trade related matters for Forum Island Countries (FICs) including Australia and New Zealand will be meeting in the State of Pohnpei from April 27-30, 2010. The meeting will take place at the PMA Auditorium in Kolonia.

The meeting is being jointly organized by the FSM National Government and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). This would be the first occasion for the FSM to host a Forum Trade Ministers Meeting (FTMM) and it is anticipated that there will be more than 50 delegates attending the meetings, of which 15 will be Ministers.

The main purpose of the meetings is for the FICs to continue their discussion on trade and trade related issues. The usual practice is that Officials meet first to discuss issues on the agenda and provide recommendation to the Ministers. Possible issues to be considered during this meeting include related issues to PACER-Plus, Aid for Trade, Traditional Knowledge/ intellectual property rights and other trade-related matters.

The FSM President H.E. Emanuel Mori has established an organizing committee chaired by the FSM Department of Resources and Development and consisting of the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs, Division of Customs, National Police and other relevant departments. Preparations for the FTMM are well underway. The committee has convened several preparatory meetings and will continue to work with Pohnpei, as the host State, to ensure that the meeting is successful.

For more information on the FTMM, please contact the Division of Trade and Investment within the FSM Department of Resources and Development at (691) 320-5133 or email psdp@dea.fm.