Clean, green showcasing machine

Exhibitors from around the Pacific and further afield are displaying their environmentally-friendly products at a clean and green industry showcase at the National Auditorium grounds.

The showcase, hosted by Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce, was officially opened by Minister of Finance Mark Brown on Monday evening.

He believes it is important that the Cook Islands ”walk the talk“ in promoting renewable energy to the rest of the world.

Companies such as coconut oil producer Rito Cook Islands and cosmetics brand Te Tika were some representing the Cooks.

From further afield was the Apia Bottling Company with their Hot Samoan Boys chilli sauce, and Papua New Guinea’s Banz Kofi Fektori coffee brand.

New Zealand’s Green Energy Pod also featured at the showcase, which is open to the public until Friday 2pm.

Designed to work in harmony with the environment, the Pod uses wind and solar renewable energy generation at local sites to produce a safe, low-pressure gas.

Panasonic, the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency and the Titikaveka Growers Association were also represented.

Steve Anderson, immediate past president of the Chamber of Commerce, congratulated exhibitors for taking the initiative to become clean and green in a world that often doesn’t care enough.

It was in the 1960s that environmental worries began, he said.

But despite ”those of us from the 1960s trading in our tie-dyed shirts“ for more respectable attire, there is still no consensus from world governments about what to do to help the environment.

Anderson noted the Cooks were aiming to be fuelled by 100 percent renewable energy by 2020.

”Will this make a difference worldwide? Not a jot.

”But it sets an example to others that we as a country are proud of.“

The United Kingdom and Chinese governments also sent representatives to the showcase, to demonstrate their commitment to renewable energy.

Clean and green is also the theme for the Private Sector Dialogue, held over two days this week in association with the Forum to promote sustainable business growth within the Pacific.