The President of the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council, Mr John Ridgway (Managing Partner, Pacific Legal Network), today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) under which the Council and ABV will work together to build capacity in businesses in the Pacific island economies.

Mr George Morrow, Chief Executive, signed the MOU on behalf of ABV.

"We are delighted to enter into this relationship to work together in developing business capacity in the Pacific island economies’, Mr Ridgway and Mr Morrow said.

"It is essential for economic and social development that these economies grows on the back of private business development."

"There are many synergies between ABV and the Council which can be utilised to support and develop businesses in the region," Mr Ridgway and Mr Morrow said.

ABV is a development agency, largely funded by AusAID, which seeks to reduce poverty and build sustainable economies in the developing countries of the Asia Pacific region. At the request of small businesses in these countries, ABV sends expert Australian volunteers to transfer workplace skills via training and mentoring, to build the skills capacity within these businesses.

The Australia Pacific Islands Business Council was established in 2000 as a not-for-profit association to assist build effective business relationships between Australia and smaller Pacific islands economies through the promotion of trade and investment and supporting economic growth. It operates alongside the Australia Papua New Guinea and Australia Fiji Business Councils.

Australian Business Volunteers: Linda Elliott, Director - Communications (Tel + 61 2 6285 1686)

Australia Fiji Business Council: Frank Yourn, Executive Director (Tel +61 7 3348 5142)