In August 2024, NPTW partnered with TradeWorthy Inc and Lexbridge Lawyers to present an in-depth workshop on trade negotiations for government officials from member nations of the Pacific Agreement Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus.

NPTW’s involvement focused on the challenges of negotiating and implementing rules of origin in support of the preferential arrangements for trade in goods under the Agreement.  We developed and presented material on the significance of trade in goods under the Agreement and the way that rules of origin serve to support the preferential arrangements.  We also took the participants from the eight Pacific Island member countries through exercises aimed at demonstrating some of the challenges in classifying goods under international tariff and trade rules.

The work, funded by the Australian and New Zealand Governments will improve the capacity of government officials throughout the region to better serve the needs of their traders.