A Pacific agency representing private business says it should be directly involved in negotiations on the proposed PACER Plus trade deal.
PACER Plus aims to bring a common market in goods and services to the Pacific and non state actors have just received an historic briefing in Honiara on the developments to date.
The CEO of the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisations, Mereia Volavola, says their involvement is critical because in any trade agreement the private sector is what makes the trade flow.
She says they appreciate this consultation but want to take it a step further.
"When it comes to negotiation we want the private sector representatives sitting there with the trade officials when they are going to engage in the negotiations."
The CEO of the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisations, Mereia Volavola.
