The U.
S.
Department of State Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP) announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to support Pacific Islands businesses in the fisheries/seafood sector to adopt sustainable and inclusive practices and to generate economic
growth for Pacific peoples through participation in a global business plan competition.
The program should leverage U.
S.
expertise in innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment to empower Pacific Islands businesses 1) to adopt sustainable and inclusive practices with positive social impacts (e.g., employment of disadvantaged populations including women and youth), and 2) to expand and provide jobs and income for Pacific Islanders, including through capacity building to become investment-ready, integration into regional and global supply chains, networking opportunities to learn from others and develop business and investment partnerships, as well as exposure to new technologies and innovation in the sector through participation in a global business plan competition.