Economic ministers from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) will meet on July 3-5 in Solomon Islands capital Honiara, to discuss regional economic integration and ways to improve Pacific labor markets.

According to Wednesday's press release from the Secretariat of the Forum, as regional economic integration is now a standing item on the agenda, the ministers will discuss economic regulation and labor as they are vital to economic growth.

The PIF, a regional intergovernmental organization grouping 16 South Pacific members, is designed to enhance cooperation and coordination among members in the sectors of trade, economic development, aviation, shipping, telecommunication, energy, tourism, education, and in other issues of common concern.

The Economic Ministerial Meeting in Honiara will be its tenth anniversary, during which a special session will be held on what the region has achieved so far, and what factors will affect future economic growth.

"The Economic Ministers have previously agreed to make it easier to open and run a business in island countries, by updating regulations and making them less time consuming," said Acting Forum Secretary General, Iosefa Maiava.

He said there is also room to attract investment from the growing overseas communities of Pacific Islanders who have strong links back to their home islands.

A number of challenges and opportunities, particularly through regionalism can assist with lifting economic growth going forward, said Maiava.

Ministers will later endorse a 2006 Forum Economic Action Plan to guide their work over the next year.

Source: Xinhua