SIDS: ITC joins forces with Samoa and Pacific partners (en)

The International Trade Centre (ITC) will strengthen collaboration with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the National University of Samoa. ITC signed agreements with the two partner institutions on 2 September 2014 in Apia, Samoa, on the sidelines of the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Apia, Samoa

ITC Executive Director Arancha González and PIFS Secretary-General, Tuiloma Neroni Slade, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a framework for co-operation between the PIFS and ITC aimed at boosting sustainable socio-economic development through increased competitiveness and exports. A particular focus of the agreement is to enhance the economic empowerment of women in the Pacific, as well as to improve the business environment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region.

A Letter of Intent was also signed between ITC and PIFS to operationalize the framework of co-operation between the two organizations.

Separately, ITC signed an agreement with the University of Samoa, granting the university a licence to train government officials in ITC Modular Learning System (MLS) in Supply Chain Management. The agreement was inked at a meeting in the SIDS Village between Ms. González and Professor Fui Le’apai Asofou So’o, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Samoa.