Great Pacific International Inc. (GPI) Appoints New Board Member

DELTA, BC, April 17, 2012 /CNW/ - Great Pacific International Inc. ("GPI") (TSX.V: GPI) Great Pacific International is pleased to announce that Mr. Alfredo (Freddy) Cu has joined the company's Board of Directors.  Mr. Cu has 25 years of active working experience with various oil and gas exploration and production companies located in Calgary Alberta, Canada.

Thal S. Poonian, President and Chief Executive Officer of Great Pacific International, commented: "Freddy's extensive knowledge of the oil and gas industry, makes him a valuable addition to our team. I look forward to working with Freddy as we further develop our oil and gas properties!"

Currently, Mr. Cu remains active as a consultant to the oil & gas industry.

Mr. Cu's past work experience included: accounting evaluating projects, strategic planning, project feasibility, and project financing.

In the late 1980's Mr. Cu worked in the oil industry starting with Mobil Oil Canada as Lease/Gas Plant Accountant. He worked for Mobil Oil for 8 years and was responsible for Mobil Oil's Pembina oil & gas area and 2 Pembina gas plants.

Mr. Cu left Mobil Oil Canada to start his own consulting business specializing in the accounting of the various aspects of oil and gas industry including: joint ventures, royalties, production and revenue, special projects and financials.

Some of the companies that he provided services to were: Pan Canadian (now EnCana), Anderson Exploration, Alliance Energy, Advance Drilling, APF Energy, Paramount Resources, ConocoPhillips Canada, Compton Petroleum, Talisman Energy, and Hunt Oil Canada.

Mr. Cu is also the founding director of Varcada Venture Corporation a Venture Capital Firm which has invested in a number of oil and gas projects including Sunshine Oilsands Ltd.

Mr. Cu attained his university BSc & BA degree from the University of the East, Philippines in 1975. He obtained his CPA license in 1978.

Mr. Cu's vast work experience will enable him to contribute to the board in evaluating projects, strategic planning, project feasibility, and project financing. His background, knowledge and experience will also provide valuable input into development of the Company's oil & gas properties.

For further information on GPI's Petroleum and Natural Gas Leases please see map available at http://www.gpicanada.net/operation.

About Great Pacific International

Great Pacific International is a public company actively engaged in the exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas. GPI currently owns over 33,000 gross acres of P&NG leases (over 30,000 net acres) in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. The Company's strategy is focused on creating value for shareholders by acquiring and developing petroleum and natural gas leases primarily in western Canada. Great Pacific currently has 47,478,432 shares outstanding which are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol GPI.

On behalf of the Board,

"Thal S. Poonian"
Thal S. Poonian President

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Thal S. Poonian, President, at 604-940-9190, toll free 1-877-942-8765 or by email [email protected]