A FINANCIAL contribution from the Luxembourg government has enabled the Melanesian Spearhead Group to provide a $45,000 funding for Trade Pasifika 2012, which begins on Monday in Nadi.
The funding will help the participation of entrepreneurs from Melanesian countries at the three-day event, which will showcase goods and service providers from across the Pacific.
"Noting the important role that Trade Pasifika 2012 can play in catalysing trade for the Pacific, the Melanesian Spearhead Group is pleased to contribute $F45,000 towards the event.
"We gratefully acknowledge the support of the government of Luxembourg to the MSG, which has made this financial contribution possible," director general of the MSG Secretariat, Peter Forau said.
More than 50 entrepreneurs are scheduled to participate at the trade show.
Entrepreneurs from the Melanesian countries include those from Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
They will showcase a range of products and services including coconut oil, timber products, cocoa, coffee, honey and bee products, pearls and shell crafts, noni juice, banana and cassava chips and a wide range of manufactured goods.
"The support provided by the Melanesian Spearhead Group is an indication of the strong emphasis the MSG has on facilitating trade from the region.
"Through this funding, entrepreneurs from Melanesia will join those from other regions to find new markets for their products as well as learn from each other and from industry specialists who will host three targeted workshops at the Trade Pasifika 2012,"chairman of Trade Pasifika 2012, Kaliopate Tavola said.
Entrepreneurs from Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Tonga and Samoa will also be present at the three-day event.
A special focus will be on women entrepreneurs who have been supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to participate in Trade Pasifika 2012.
Trade Pasifika 2012 has also received sponsorship support from ANZ, and a range of private sector organisations including Williams and Gosling, Air Pacific, Air Terminal Service, Fiji TV and the Ministry of Industries and Trade.
The event has been organised by the Pacific Island Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO) with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Centre, Secretariat of the Pacific community (SPC), AusAID's Pacific Leadership Program, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, private sector representatives and the Melanesian Spearhead Group.