BSP contributes 10K to PNG trade mission

Geraldine Panapasa
Friday, March 29, 2013

Fiji Times

THE upcoming Fiji Trade Mission to Papua New Guinea would lift vital bilateral relations and enhance economic activity and integration as part of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) says Ministry of Industry and Trade permanent secretary Shaheen Ali.

Mr Ali's comments followed a $10,000 contribution towards the trade mission from pioneer sponsor, Bank of South Pacific this week.

BSP country manager Fiji Kevin McCarthy hands over the 10K cheque to Ministry of Industry and Trade permanent secretary Shaheen Ali. Picture: SUPPLIED

"This mission is a partnership by the Fijian government with the private sector. BSP was the first private sector company to offer support towards this mission, demonstrating that it is a truly regional bank and is interested to assist other businesses exploit similar opportunities," Mr Ali said in a statement.
"BSP has first-hand experience in investing in Fiji, having already successfully invested in the Fijian financial services market."
BSP country manager Fiji Kevin McCarthy said when they acquired the Colonial Group in 2009, it was a major investment for BSP outside of PNG. He said the lifting of trade restrictions by MSG member governments opened great opportunities for Fijian businesses to ply their trade and wares to PNG.
"There is a lot of interest from their members in this trade mission. The Fiji-PNG Business Council feels that this is the right time for such a mission," said Mr McCarthy, who is also the president of the council. The mission was scheduled for April 17-18 and coincided with an official State visit by Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to Papua New Guinea. Interested businesses have been invited to contact Investment Fiji or the Ministry of Industry and Trade.