Suva, Fiji, 7 April 2017 Tokelau was represented at the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) this week as the region discussed the theme "Funding for Sustainable Development". Given prior commitments the Tokelau Minister of Finance, Faipule Siopili Perez, was unable to attend so the General Manager, Apia - Joe Suveinakama represented our Territory. Mr Suveinakama conveyed that despite Tokelau not being a full member of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), it was useful for Tokelau to demonstrate its commitment to the leaders' Regionalism Framework. Given the volatility and vulnerability of economies it was important to work collaboratively and cooperatively on a regional approach, he said. Despite funding constraints we the smaller Islands find this engagement as both timely and useful. The engagement between FEMM with the Private Sector and Civil Society Organisations (CSO) is an eye opener. In Tokelau the landscape is quite different whereby the Private Sector and CSO are almost non-existent yet the functions are carried out by traditional institutions. He invited the Private sector, through the Samoa Chamber of Commerce, to travel to Tokelau for a scoping visit. |