PRESS STATEMENT 47/08
Friday 20th, June 2008 


AusAID Leadership Programme engages with PIPSO

The Australia Agency for International Development (AusAID) and Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO) have joined forces to further private sector development across the region.

A Partnership Agreement was signed today in Suva, Fiji, between PIPSO, the Pacific's premier private sector representative body, and AusAID's new Pacific Leadership Programme (PLP), aimed at strengthening political governance and leadership in the region.

PLP Regional Programme Director, Mr Angus McDonald, highlighted PIPSO's legitimacy, strong networks and commitment to good governance as key factors that affirmed their decision to engage with the region's representative private sector organisation.

"PIPSO is identified in the Pacific Plan as a strategic partner to dialogue and partner with for effective regional policy making and capacity building. PIPSO is also committed to improving the standards of governance and leadership within the private sector, which is consistent with the goals of our Programme."

Mr Hafiz Khan, Board Member and Secretary/Treasurer for PIPSO, welcomed the partnership, noting it could not have come at a better time.

"This Agreement is timely since we are just completing a comprehensive Resource Mobilisation Strategy to support the operation of a fully fledged PIPSO Secretariat," said Mr Khan.

"Our growing links with Australia through AusAID, its Business Councils and the Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commission in Sydney augur well with our efforts and shared endeavour to have a business-friendly environment that will foster sustainable private sector growth throughout the region." 

Mr McDonald and Mr Khan signed the PIPSO-PLP Partnership Agreement to formalise an assistance package valued at FJ$150,000 that will enable the PIPSO Secretariat to undertake in-country consultations to raise stakeholder awareness on PIPSO and identify priority needs of each National Private Sector Organisation. 

Mr Khan added that these proposed activities are in line with PIPSO's strategic goals.

PLP became the fourth partner institution to provide direct funding assistance to PIPSO, along with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, UNDP Pacific Centre and European Union-funded BizClim.

Similar assistance from PLP is being extended to the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO), Pacific Youth Council and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). 

(Ends) 


NOTE TO EDITORS: 

For further information contact PLP's Regional Programme Manager, Ms Yeshe Smith, via email. 

For more information on PIPSO, visit www.pipso.org.