Cook Islands Trade Day

Contact Details

Postal: Private Bag, Avarua, Rarotonga

Phone: (+682) 24 296

Fax: (+682) 24 298

"Your business portal to the Cook Islands"

The Cook Islands Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) is in the planning process for the Cook Islands Trade Day. The Cook Islands Trade day will place particular emphasis on food and products from the Cook Islands only.

We propose to hold this event at the vacant plot across the road from the Banana Court and the ANZ Bank from 8am through to 5pm.

Trade Day will provide an opportunity for visitors and tourists alike to discover authentic foods and products of the Cook Islands. Most importantly this will be an opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their products and discuss on going business with potential buyers. In addition it is hoped that the trade day will assist the outer island participants with their costs in attending the annual Constitution celebrations, otherwise known as the ‘Maire Maeva Nui”.

Business Trade investment Board aims to facilitate, support and encourage trade between the outer islands and Rarotonga and we hope that this trade event is another avenue towards that goal. We hope that our local people will benefit from this initiative and that this will lead to economic spin offs for the outer islands and the national economy.

PRODUCTS

We encourage all the outer islands to bring with them products for the Cook Islands trade day. The BTIB has identified suitable products to be exhibited from the two groups listed below. We ask that all outer islands participants notify this office of products that they will bring so that we can keep an audit of all products that will be exhibited.

We need to ensure that products are of sufficient quantity and are of a high quality. In addition we invite exhibitors to suggest other products which could be suitable for promotion. We stress that outer islands participants bring as much as they can to sell as we will be providing extensive promotion of this event. Please note that all income from the sale of your products at Cook Islands Trade day will assist your cultural group and island.

If you need to start sending products now we will be able to assist with storage. Please let us know.

Northern Group Islands Trochus

Rito Products
Black Pearls
Kikau Brooms
Paua
Korori
Parau Shells
Dried Fish /fresh fish
Uto Drinks / pana uto
Local jewellery

Southern Group Islands Tangaroa

Ei Pupu shells
Local jewellery
Pounding Stones – stalagmite
Mats - different sizes
Baskets
Tivaevae
Pillowcases
Tie Dye Pareu
Oil
Wooden bowls
Flowers (tapa, cotton, etc) Soap products

Craftwork / Kikau brooms
Piere
Food crops

BOOTH SPACE

We will set up approximately 15 booths to accommodate the exhibitors from the outer islands. Each island will have there own booth of approximately 3 x 3 meters.

It is important that we have confirmation of participation ASAP as I will be ordering banners (signs) for each booth. This will also give me an indication as to how many Rarotonga booths I can allow.

Each island is expected to set up their own booth space by partitioning off their booth with woven coconut palm (kikau). All booths are to be manned by at least one person from your group and must be set up before 8.00am on Thursday 7th August 2008.
We will provide all marquees, banners, one table, one chair for each island.
We will provide an information sheet to all exhibitors which will include a site plan and the location of your booth, closer to the trade day.

PLANNING

As part of our planning we will provide the following programs,
1. Information Paper for all exhibitors including the site plan.
2. Trade Day Program

ENTERTAINMENT

We also propose to include in some entertainment and demonstrations in the program for the whole day. If your island can assist with doing one or two items and/ or a demonstration of something unique and cultural from your island please let me know so we can include this in the program.

MEDIA, PROMOTIONS

BTIB will be carrying out a huge media and promotion program of this event to ensure that people are aware of the trade day and encourage them to participate. Media coverage will incorporate all mediums including TV, Radio and Newspapers.

The BTIB hopes that as a result of the Cook Islands Trade Day there will be an ongoing promotion and development of outer islands trade and lead to economic benefits to all.