Government eyes 100-day plan to boost economy, generate income

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By HELEN TARAWA
TREASURER Charles Abel, pictured, says the Government will work on a 100-day plan to strengthen the economy and generate income for the people.
He is putting together a team with Treasury Secretary Dairi Vele to work on the plan which will address issues highlighted in the Mid-Year Economic Fiscal Outlook report.
Abel said the country continued to experience slow economic growth, and there were issues regarding revenue generation.
“I will be introducing a 100-day work plan with some specific steps on how to sustain important programmes, especially our small and big businesses, and to help put money into pockets of ordinary Papua New Guineans,” Abel said.
“Another important theme is continuing quality education, continuing free health care, backed up with all the supporting requirements of healthcare, agriculture and tourism as long-term sustainable growth drivers.”
He said it would also focus on some projects which had not been progressing fast enough such as the second LNG Project, the Frieda River copper-gold mine and Wafi-Golpu gold project.
“We need to support some of the existing businesses committed to this country, particularly in agriculture,” Abel said.
Abel said the report was “frank and honest”, and the government would work towards addressing the issues raised.
“Some of the measures we can take immediately to ensure our economy remains healthy and we can deliver on those commitments that our Government has already placed in the 2017 budget.”