PNG must diversify economy
I FULLY agree with comments by the director of the Institute of National Affairs (INA), Paul Barker, that PNG must diversify its economy.
The Government needs to look beyond “minerals boom” and target critical areas of renewable resource sectors of our economy.
I also suggest that we carefully analyse future patterns of economic growth and opportunity, and adapt innovative approaches to financing, building, operations and wealth creation for our people.
The Government must be serious about diversifying our economy and put the whole nation to work, revitalising itself and the private sector.
PNG has some of the world’s richest natural resources.
Our country’s natural beauty and cultures would make it a great place to live, work, visit or do business.
Yet, since independence; successive governments at all levels have mismanaged our assets and squandered many good opportunities.
The consequences are high unemployment, low wages, high taxes, substantial urban migration, poor services and a big national debt.
I believe one of Parliament’s future objectives is to commit its full resources towards key areas of national concerns aimed at achieving sustainable development.
Thus, we need a bipartisan approved growth plan with clear broad-based strategies specifically targeted at certain critical areas to transform PNG into a prosperous, progressive and united country.
Future development strategies must be periodically reviewed to specifically target areas for growth.
We must reform our political system, get our economic fundamentals right and meaningfully reward people for working hard for their country.
Most political parties have similar policies that can be juxtaposed and refined to ensure a viable growth framework including a range of key national issues crossing many portfolio areas.
To incorporate this, the Government must work really hard to create new jobs and put more money into the pockets of those who need it most.
An important future outcome now is placing great emphasis on our people getting more widely-distributed benefits from the development of their natural resources.
As part of our national security strategy of creating a stable and secure country, every citizen must be fully committed to rebuilding the nation.
A realistic plan and a new leadership approach are required to bring about a major change.

Reginald Renagi, Rigoe
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