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The Region on Show at Raro
Pacific trade has never seemed much of anything ever since agri-giants began growing bananas in South America much cheaper than
Pacific trade has never seemed much of anything ever since agri-giants began growing bananas in South America much cheaper than any islander and his machete ever could.
But the dream persists, updated to today’s ‘niche’ markets that are as hard to grab out of thin air as a mosquito.
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Identify a market gap, like Tonga did in squash for Japan, and the average producer is just building up steam when something like changing fashions or stricter quarantine requirements blow through like a cyclone. Many islands have huge trade imbalances, no matter what the size. The tiny Cook Islands imports most of its food, as does a much bigger island directly to their far north, Hawaii. Pacific islanders are nothing if not a stubborn lot, however.
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Lately, then there have been moves to at least put up the idea of Pacific commerce, with lots of talk about a Free Trade zone. When, not if, that eventually happens countries like Fiji will benefit.
In the meantime, Pacific islanders continue to search for enduring success stories like the chocolate macademia nuts that few tourists to Hawaii go home without. That’s why development officials enthusiastically supported last year’s Pacific Islands Trade Fair in Tonga.
This year, the event moves to the Cook Islands. As trade fairs go, the second annual Pacific Islands Trade Fair, to be held April 4-7, is “a brand new baby”, says Rohan Ellis, Chief Executive Office of the Cook Islands Development Investment Board. About 60 percent of the 44 available booths have been taken up already, even before Cook Islands Development Investment Board started surfing an internet based marketing exercise.
“We’ve had a lot of inquiries from the Cook Islands private sector as well. But we’ve advised them that we want to give first preference to the region.” Ellis has gently reminded them that the best showcase for their business is right where they are, in their own shops. There is a solid “spouse” programme for the trade fair, so partners will be reporting back to booth holders on what’s available locally.
But if booths will be in short supply, Ellis was welcoming input from the public about potential buyers. “If members of the public have any contacts of the people overseas who have a great interest in Pacific products, then please let us know now or perhaps let them know!”
The first day of the trade fair will be a closed affair, for buyers and sellers only. After that, the doors are open for curious locals and tourists alike.
Ellis is pleased that the Pacific Islands Trade Fair 2001 is being held in the Cook Islands. That’s because the trade fair almost didn’t make it past its first hosts, Tonga. Perhaps, inspired by the Samoan stranglehold next door on the Miss South Pacific contest, Tonga wanted to keep the trade fair and the prestige and the cash for itself. “But we pushed for it to be held in other countries”, says Ellis about discussions the Cook Islands and Samoa had with Tongan officials.
They told them, “Let’s grow this to be the premier trade event of the Pacific Islands.” Fortunately, the Tongan Prime Minister agreed with the trade delegations. Samoa hosts the trade fair next year in 2002.
As for the free trade zone, at least one country is doing ‘well’ without it. Post-coup Fiji saw a huge range of opportunities on offer. Bargain savvy dealers swooped in to scoop up cheap deals while gawking at road blocks.
Importers from this year’s Pacific Islands Trade Fair host country in the Cook Islands snapped up at least US$10 million in Fiji goods, well up from the previous five years that hovered at US$4 million. No doubt exhibitors at this year’s trade fair will find less extreme ways of boosting exports, while hopefully surfing just ahead of the giant multi-nationals.
