Regional Growth in Focus as 2026 Export Survey Engages Pacific Businesses
02 March 2026
Suva, Fiji - As global trade conditions are increasingly shaped by evolving tariff settings, geopolitical competition, freight volatility, labour constraints and climate‑related pressures, it is critical that Pacific businesses ensure its voices are reflected in the evidence shaping regional economic priorities.
To support this, Pacific Trade Invest (PTI), the trade and investment promotion network of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has today launched the 2026 Pacific Islands Export Survey, inviting exporters - including tourism operators - across 16 Forum Island Countries to participate in the region’s only longitudinal study of exporter sentiment, which will inform regional trade and economic policy settings.
Conducted every two years since 2014, the survey has built more than a decade of primary research tracking exporter performance, confidence, barriers and emerging opportunities. In a region where comprehensive private sector statistics remain limited, it remains a rare and credible source of regionally generated evidence.
The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Baron Divavesi Waqa, said the survey aligns with the region’s long-term vision under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
“Our 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent calls for a resilient, inclusive and sustainable regional economy shaped by Pacific priorities and Pacific voices. The survey provides an important avenue for exporters and tourism operators to contribute directly to this shared endeavour, strengthening the evidence that supports regional cooperation and coordinated economic action.”
Recognising tourism as a core services export, the survey explicitly includes businesses that sell to international visitors. Strong participation from tourism operators will strengthen the overall dataset and ensure service exports are fully represented alongside goods exports in regional reporting.
The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and is mobile‑friendly. Goods and services exporters, tourism businesses, chambers of commerce and industry associations are encouraged to participate and share the survey through their networks, helping ensure its voices are reflected in regional trade policy.
PTI Network General Manager, Caleb Jarvis, said strong participation would be critical to ensuring business perspectives are reflected in regional trade and economic discussions.
“In 2024, participating businesses identified freight costs, market access constraints and labour shortages among the most significant barriers to growth. Strong participation in 2026 - across all operators, big and small - will ensure the evidence reflects the breadth of business conditions across our region and strengthens the case for practical, targeted support.”
Founded in 1979, Pacific Trade Invest facilitates trade and investment in the Pacific and works to strengthen export capability and international market access for businesses across the region.
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Survey link as follows: pti.mobi/PacificIslandsExportSurvey2026-5
