Elections won’t affect Apec preparations: MP

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Minister Justin Tkatchenko says preparations for Apec 2018 will not be affected by the 2017 general election.
He said this yesterday when giving an update on preparations for the event with a new chairman for the Apec Authority, Charles Lepani, to shortly take up the position.
“It’s not an easy task knowing that elections are also in that particular timeframe,” Tkatchenko told The National.
He however said Apec preparations would not be affected by the elections.
“Not at all,” Tkatchenko said.
“Everything’s in place at the Apec Authority. All the staff are there.
“Any political situation will not interfere at all.
“Apec is an authority on its own.
“Only when it comes to legislation and awarding of major contracts, NEC (National Executive Council) and my ministry get involved to facilitate that.
“But at the end of the day, things move forward – business as usual.”
Tkatchenko said everything was on track for the event.
“Apec Haus is moving forward without fear or favor,” he said.
“The project’s on time, groundwork and reclamation is finishing in the next couple of weeks.
“The new contractor for the actual project will be announced by the Government, I would hope, in the next two weeks as they have to start work immediately to keep in the timeframe for completion of Apec Haus.
“All other security meetings and other lead-up meetings are all going very well.
“The commitment by the Australian Government with the visit of the minister for justice is very good.
“We’ve had two security meetings.
“We’ve got the transport ministers’ meeting coming up.
“All’s proceeding well to the schedule of Apec. It’s full-on but all the management are in place.”
Tkatchenko said Lepani would be taking over as Apec chairman.
“As a senior statesman and Papua New Guinean, we look forward to his role in taking Apec to another level in his capacity as chairman,” he said.