McLay says Lae best for business

By JASON SOM KAUT
LAE Chamber of Commerce and Industry says Lae is a more viable center to set up businesses than Port Moresby in terms of logistics and costs.
Lae has transport infrastructure of road network, shipping and air trasnport that connects about two million people to the industrial city.
President Allan McLay made these remarks in a brief presentation to delegates of eight Pacific countries who are Partners in the Nauru Agreement (PNA) during a luncheon at the Lae International Hotel last Wednesday.
The PNA member countries of which PNG is a leader, own half of the world’s Tuna stocks and was formed to find ways to better manage these stocks.
“Lae has good infrastructure, steady power supply, cheap labour and lower rent on properties and, generally has a lower cost of living than in Port Moresby,” Mr McLay said.
He said Lae was not unique and had its share of problems, including crime but added there was good relationship between all stakeholders, the provincial government, police and business houses in addressing the crime problems.
Mr McLay said the launch of the Lae-Nadzab urban development plan was a timely boost as it would see the city growth properly planned and customary land freed up in a formal arrangement with landowners to participate in the development process.
“Local landowners are working with provincial authorities and the business community to mobilise customary land for development partnerships,” he said
Mr McLay highlighted that one of the problems faced in the past was ‘under-performing and over-regulating of fees by the local level government.
However, he added that discussions were ongoing to address all these problems and the business community was looking ahead to another good year.

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