New Zealand businesses have a crucial role to play in the region's economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the new Pacific Trade Commissioner says.
Cranes dot the skyline in Papua New Guinea's bustling capital Port Moresby. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
David Dewar has been in Fiji since last year setting up the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise office in Suva, and this month officially took up the commissioner role with the business development agency.
He said New Zealand businesses are represented across all sectors in the region and their operations are strengthened by cultural, historical and family connections.
"It's a huge export market. Prior to the pandemic there was around $NZ2.2 billion going into the region, and overall a $NZ3.2 billion two-way trading relationship."
The pandemic led to a 5.8 percent contraction in Pacific economies for 2020, the Asian Development Bank said.
It has forecast 0.3 percent growth for the Pacific for 2021, which it expects to increase next year to 4 percent.
Dewar said New Zealand businesses could help not only the recovery but also the future resilience of Pacific economies.
"New Zealand businesses are going to play a really critical role in partnering with Pacific businesses, governments, donor organisations and development organisations, in helping provide some of those really critical services that will help support the growth of the region," he said.
For now, his first efforts have been taking stock of what is happening.
"At the moment we are looking - at this early stage in the role - at just seeing who is operating in the region, how we can support them, what the particular challenges are that they might be facing, and how they can position themselves for growth," he said.
Dewar urged all New Zealand businesses already working in the region or any thinking of moving into the region to contact the commission if they need support or advice.