Click here for printable version	Click here to download .doc version
	Windward Islands   Resal
Institutional Strengthening of TongaTrade Background TongaTrade was inaugurated in January 1997 and has been established to facilitate and promote the export of Tongan products in overseas markets. TongaTrade is being jointly funded by the Government of Tonga and the Asian Development Bank during the initial establishment period of two years. The initiative to establish TongaTrade developed from the realisation that Tonga was in a very vulnerable position as an exporter of agricultural products and subject to a boom or bust approach. The principal goal of TongaTrade is to identify markets which are appropriate to Tonga's productive capacity and to develop an environment which encourages private sector investment in export industries. It is proposed that at least 50% of the annual funding for TongaTrade is provided by the private sector within two years after the start of the TA. Objective To promote the growth and competitiveness of Tonga's exports of goods and services, through the following activities: Help with the identification of market opportunities for Tonga Serve as the onestop trade information centre Collect and disseminate trade information materials Act as liaison between buyers and sellers Provide a showcase for Tongan products Organise trade missions and participate in overseas trade missions Arrange seminars and workshops for Tongan exporters Maintain an uptodate database of names and addresses of overseas contacts Assist Tongan producers and entrepreneurs with overseas market development activities Trade Information System The trade information system developed by MTL Consult, which relied heavily on WWW and Internet technologies, comprised the following components: Trade Contacts Company Information Directories Opportunities World Trade Organisation Buyers Demands [Sellers Offers] Market Information Market Prices Market Characteristics Distribution Channels Competitors Trade/Investment Regulations Quarantine/Labelling/Packaging Export Incentive Schemes/Preferential Trade Agreements Other Business Opportunities Joint Ventures Investment Cooperation Trade & Production Statistics Production Imports Exports Intl Physical Distribution Freight Transport Further Information For further information, please see the TongaTrade website.