“As indicated in the strategy itself, Tuvalu National Trade Development Strategy is designed to provide a set of strategies and prioritized actions that can guide the development of trade in Tuvalu over a period of five years. I hope the strategy will help government to mainstream trade into national strategies; build a conducive environment for business; build supply-side capacities in priority sectors of Tuvalu, such as Fisheries, Agriculture, Tourism and Labour Mobility; build capacity, engagement and coordination among the key stakeholders – both public and private; and strengthen capacity to access Aid for Trade programs.” This was the remarks given by the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Fisheries & Trade, Hon. Minute Taupo, while officially launching the Tuvalu National Trade Development Strategy.

ESCAP Under-Secretary-General of United Nations and Executive Secretary, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, said that “Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, member states in the Asia-Pacific have been focused on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. International trade and its related policies and strategies remain as one of the critical enables.

I am confident that Tuvalu is well positioned to leverage trade in transforming its economies and societies, while advancing the 2030 Agenda and the SIDS Accelerated Modality of Action (SAMOA) Pathway,” Mr Ratnakar Adhikari, Executive Director of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) underscored that Tuvalu’s National Trade Development Strategy is timely in establishing a clear roadmap in guiding the country in resilience towards the unprecedented climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.