Cook Islands joins other Pacific nations in a programme aimed at improving the country’s agricultural and horticultural trade.

The Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus programme (PHAMA Plus) was launched Tuesday at Crown Beach Resort in Arorangi.

The goal of the programme is to improve access to regional and global trade in primary products from the Cook Islands.

Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu are already part of the programme.

Minister for Agriculture Rose Brown at the launch said she was pleased the PHAMA Plus programme was in the Cook Islands.

Brown said a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Ministry of Agriculture and PHAMA Plus, acknowledging the programme in the country.

The New Zealand and Australian governments gave $190,000 for the programme to start work at the end of March 2022.

Acting Australian High Commissioner Jane Edquist said she was delighted the programme had made its way to the Cook Islands.

“I think helping growers understand their product, understanding how it is perceived in different markets, and making sure it is of the quality and standard required so that it can hit those markets and sell really well, will be nothing but helpful,” Edquist said.

She said PHAMA Plus was speaking to people in the primary sector to decide how the $190,000 will be used.

“It’s really about making sure the partners get what they need,” she said.

New Zealand and Australia have given over $42 million to the programme since 2011 and is currently giving over $9 million annually.

A joint media release from PHAMA plus, Australian Aid and New Zealand Aid, said the programme will work with public and private stakeholders in the Cook Islands to improve awareness and understanding of market requirements.

It added the programme would strengthen regional trade facilitation and diversification. 

Prime Minister Mark Brown said the Cook Islands’ partnership with PHAMA Plus will help the country take advantage of trade and investment opportunities in the months ahead.