1 July 1999

South Pacific Forum Economic Ministers Meeting

The Minister for Financial Services & Regulation, Joe Hockey, will represent Australia at the 3rd annual South Pacific Forum Economic Ministers Meeting, to be held in Apia, Samoa on 1-2 July.

The meeting aims to help Forum Governments implement economic policies to achieve sustainable development.

The meeting provides member countries with the opportunity to review progress in the implementation of the Forum Economic Action Plan, which was adopted in 1997.

The action plan spelt out strategic issues of importance to the region in promoting trade, investment, private sector development and good governance.

In this context, Economic Ministers will review their economic reforms and discuss ways to better implement their action plans.

The meeting's agenda has a strong emphasis on addressing the practical problems of implementing economic reform and removing impediments to private-sector development.