Professor Biman Prasad from the University of the South Pacific said the Pacific Island countries — particularly Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga — have huge potential to use PACER-plus to boost agricultural exports.
“If you look at what is going to happen in Australia adn New Zealand, you know Australia is warming up, the demand for food products both in Australia and New Zealand are likely to increase, with better prices as well,” he said.
Prasad said Australia and New Zealand should be offering help right now with studies looking at how Pacific economies can make the necessary adjustments.
If those adjustments are made, Prasad said there should also be substantial positive flow-on effects for the tourist industry.
