The Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat has appointed Henry Sanday from Fiji as the Private Sector Development Advisor.
The programme is funded by the European Union and jointly administered by the secretariats of the Pacific Islands Forum and the MSG.
The programme aims to improve trade policy outcomes by building technical capacity, increasing private sector engagement in policy making processes and increasing exports and investments for MSG Member countries.
Mr Sanday was the founding Executive Officer to the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation.
The MSG Director General, Peter Forau says Mr Sanday's appointment will boost efforts to promote business development in both the formal and informal sectors.
He says this is important to assist member countries participate more effectively in trade under the MSG Trade Agreement.