Permanent Secretary for Trade, Shaheen Ali, emphasized the critical nature of quality infrastructure for enhancing economic opportunities and community safety, during the opening of the Pacific Regional Quality Policy Inception Workshop in Nadi. He made a poignant statement, highlighting that the consequences of failing to meet quality standards can lead to not just bureaucratic delays, but also to tragic losses in lives and economic prospects.
Ali urged for improved cooperation among Pacific nations to establish a unified quality infrastructure, which includes necessary standards, testing, and certification. These elements are essential to foster both local and regional economic growth in the face of challenges such as climate change, which continues to affect trade practices and standards across the Pacific.
This workshop represents a vital collaboration involving regional and international partners aimed at shaping a comprehensive quality policy to enhance trade and standards across Pacific nations. Fiji has shown its dedication to this cause by investing over $3 million into its meteorology and standards infrastructure, a commitment that underscores its leadership role in the region.
Moreover, Ali’s call for the formation of a Pacific-wide quality infrastructure body reflects a vision for strengthened regional ties and shared economic prosperity. Such initiatives echo previous efforts, such as Fiji’s recent donation of recalibrated weight sets to Niue and Tuvalu, which aim to improve trade measurement accuracy and consumer protection across the Pacific region.
The collective aim of these workshops and initiatives is a hopeful move towards not just improved safety and trade quality but also a more resilient and economically integrated future for all Pacific nations. As these regions work together, they pave the way for sustainable development and economic opportunities that benefit their communities and fortify their resilience against both existing and future challenges.
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