The Pacific Islands Trade & Invest (PT&I) Network is meeting in Auckland this week to collectively review and organise their efforts to support private sector growth in the Forum Island Countries.

PT&I facilitates private sector exports from the Pacific Islands to markets within and outside the region, promotes inward investment into the region, and also supports economic development through programmes promoting tourism, creative industries, cuisine and culture. PT&I is the trade and investment agency of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, and with offices in Auckland, Beijing, Geneva, Sydney and Tokyo, it effectively functions as trade outposts for the region's private sector.

Heads of these offices are meeting in Auckland this week to coincide with the Pasifika Festival.

"The PT&I network plays a key role in the Pacific Islands region's economic development, through collaboration with a variety of stakeholders across the Forum Island Countries. The region's private sector benefits greatly from the global market links that the PT&I network has built over several decades, and its many strengths including market knowledge, business contacts and the experience of its people," Dame Meg added.

"The PT&I network is committed to working together with key stakeholders to assist the Pacific islands private sector grow through exports, and also facilitate inward investments in the Pacific region."

The PT&I Office in Auckland has facilitated a 21-member private sector delegation from four countries - Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga - to participate and exhibit at the Pasifika festival venue.

While in Auckland, the heads of the various offices will also discuss how the network can continue to support the private sector's role as a powerhouse for sustainable, inclusive, and equitable regional economic development and growth, consistent with the vision and objectives of the Framework for Pacific Regionalism.