An advisor to the Pacific through the negotiations on the PACER Plus trade deal says he thinks it will be bring significant benefits for the island countries.
But Dr Edwini Kessie, who has now retired from his role as the Chief Trade Advisor, says New Zealand and Australia must maintain their commitment to help the smaller nations develop their economies.
PACER Plus has been agreed to and will be signed in Tonga next month.
There has been some criticism of the deal, with claims that it favours New Zealand and Australia to the detriment of the island nations but Dr Kessie told Don Wiseman he rejects that.
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Chief Trade Advisor, Edwini Kessie. Photo: rnzi / alex perrottet