Launch of Pacific’s First Cluster Development and Management Manual and Brochure

March 30, 2015

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Suva, Fiji – The Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO) announces the launch of two publications on cluster development by the Charge d’Affaires of the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, Johnny Engell -Hansen. The launch will take place today at the University of the South Pacific’s Japan-Pacific ICT Centre.

The launch will be followed by a seminar presentation titled “Cluster Development: Building from our Pacific Strengths” by internationally renowned Cluster Expert, Ifor Ffowcs-Williams.

The launch and seminar are supported by the Pacific Integration Technical Assistance Project (PITAP), which is a component of the Strengthening Pacific Economic Integration Through Trade programme (SPEITT), funded under the 10^th European Development Fund. The PITAP aims to improve the capacity of Pacific Island Countries to trade and increase exports and investments – areas which are results for firms participating in clusters; as firms in the cluster enhance their business competitiveness they are more able to export, and attract growing and more dynamic investments.

Cluster development is about working with interconnected geographically concentrated businesses, suppliers and associated institutions. By their nature of being closely located, clusters are considered to increase the productivity with which companies can compete, and encourage innovation, job creation and business start ups.

The cluster brochure, Opening the window on cluster development and the cluster manual, Cluster development and management were produced as part of the Regional Cluster Initiative in the Pacific Project, undertaken in 2014.  The Regional Cluster Initiative in the Pacific Project covered Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu – and centred on establishing the following pilot clusters in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs); Coconut Cluster Initiative; Team Tonga Branding Initiative Cluster (covering agro-foods, handcrafted products, sports and events) Cruise Tourism Cluster Initiative (and later the Food Cluster)

PIPSO’s Chief Executive Officer Mereia Volavola said “clustering has so much potential in the region and it is hoped that the lessons learnt from this initiative – based on Pacific and regional context – and shared through these publications will provide a platform to prompt businesses, governments and academia to explore clusters further.”

As a lead up to the launch, Mr Johnny Engell-Hansen, Charge d’Affaires of the European Delegation for the Pacific said: “For Pacific businesses seeking to tap into distant export markets, forming alliances is essential to gain critical mass and to realise economies of scale. The EU is committed to supporting Pacific Island Countries unleash their export potential and has been supporting regional trade and private sector development for many years – mainly through its regional programmes, which complements its bilateral cooperation with 15 Pacific ACP countries.”

The 10-page brochure is PIPSO’s main information awareness and advocacy tool for promoting cluster development and to raise awareness on it at the national and regional level with governments, businesses, communities, development partners and academia.  The brochure highlights the main goals of clustering and shares a brief overview of the pilot clusters, and key findings and lessons learnt.

To conclude, Ms Volavola adds, “I encourage the wider PIPSO membership, government, academia and private sector stakeholders who are looking to developing clusters to use this very detailed reference, which while taking into account global approaches and examples, more specifically takes into account Pacific and regional context.”