FSM Department of Resources and Development held a FSM Trade Fair in Palikir, Pohnpei, on September 7-9, 2016, at the FSM College of Micronesia in the margins of the 47th PIF Leaders Meeting.

On September 7-9, 2016, the FSM Department of Resources and Development with the assistance of Pacific Islands Trade and Invest, New Zealand, held the first and successful Nationwide Trade Fair. The exhibition was scheduled timely as it coincides with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Meeting, which was held in Pohnpei on September 7-11, 2016.

The Trade Fair was intended to showcase and promote the various and high quality FSM made products ranging from clothing (Chuukese Mumu/Pohnpeian Skirts), handicrafts, agriculture (Kosrae Banana Chips and Paper Products) and marine products to participants and delegates of the PIF Meeting. Thus, a few selected producers from across the four states were gathered in Pohnpei on September 4^thin preparation of the event.

On the morning of September 7^th, His Excellency, President Peter M. Christian visited the booths and was impressed by the quality of the products. FSM First Lady Mrs. Maurina W. Christian, lead other first ladies who accompanied their husbands to the Trade Fair and many of them left with bags of souvenirs. Throughout the three days, the sales were not as much as expected but some vendors have managed to solicit orders/projects that could worth more than $20,000.

The first nationwide Trade Fair also highlighted the launching of the “Buy FSM Made” campaign. This was made possible with the generous assistance of the Pacific Trade and Invest, New Zealand by providing “Buy FSM Made” stickers which were lodged on every product sold during the fair. In addition, the Auckland based PT&I also conducted a workshop focusing on interaction and participation of vendors at a Trade Fair. 

The turnout was a successfor the FSM market and to each of the vendors, as many of them sold a good number of items to the visiting delegates and introduced and promoted their products to consumers from other markets across the Pacific.

In addition to the assistance of the Pacific Islands Trade and Invest, the FSM Department of Resources and Development was supported during the Trade Fair by the PohnpeiState Government Department of Economic Affairsand the Hub and Spokes II Programme funded by the EU, ACP Secretariat. Below are some pictures of the products displayed at the fair:

For more information, please contact the Department of Resources and Development at telephone number (691) 320-5133.