Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Outcomes from 2nd Aid for Trade Meeting

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): March 19, 2009 – Last week’s 2nd Air for Trade meeting, which was held in the FSM Library of Congress, accomplished their goals and produced a outcomes document detailing the way forward. In this document, Hon. Peter Christian, Secretary of the Department of Research and Development, wrote up the list of priority projects for consideration during the round table meeting. These projects are:

  • Development and implementation of a national export strategy (support in agro food processing, business incubator initiatives, development of new agricultural and aquaculture products)

  • Development of adequate equipment to meet the exports requirements (fumigation facilities in the four FSM States, upgrading existing facilities to international standards at each stage of the production chain)

  • Lab for food testing, inspection, standards for three Freely Associated States

  • Tourism-related support for FSM including the development of ecotourism programs and rehabilitation of historical sites

  • Development of Intellectual Property rights to protect areas of specific interest for the FSM (including Geographical Indications and Traditional Knowledge)

  • Building and strengthening the capacity building of FSM Customs’ officials in relation to Rules of Origins, certification and trade statistics

  • Legal Services drafting support for specific laws and regulations including SPS measures

  • Capacity building for trade and investment statistics in FSM

  • Improving foreign investment laws in the FSM and

  • Competition policy and consumer protection (mainly in the services sector including business and finance, transportation, whole and retail)

The workgroup recommends that the drafting of these project proposals be done by national government agencies and be due by March 27th, 2009 with an internal review of all the drafts with the assistance of the consultant happen between March 27th and April 4, 2009. Their hope is to get endorsements of the National Trade Facilitation Committee by May 3rd, 2009.