‘We can produce our own’

 After 39 years of independence, it is totally unacceptable that Papua New Guinea continues to import goods that can be easily produced locally, Trade Commerce and Industry Minister Richard Maru said last Friday.

He said these include beef where Papua New Guinea imports 50% of its annual requirements, diary milk and dairy products, rice, fruits and vegetables.

“PNG must find new trading partners who will assist us by entering in major joint venture companies to produce food products that we can produce locally,” Maru said.

“This is the Asian century and we must take advantage of the rise of many Asian-based companies who should be encouraged to invest in PNG especially in investments that will result in PNG being able to replace imports like rice, beef, sheep, vegetable, fruits and furniture.”

Maru said PNG should negotiate and enter into new trade and investment agreements within Indonesia, Philippines, China and Malaysia.

“Apart from the Asian Region, we need to deepen our trade and investment relationship with the European Union who under the Interim Economic Partnership Agreement gives us special duty free market access to our fisheries and oil palm. 

“PNG has greatly benefited from such generous terms of trade agreement.

“Securing the hosting of the APEC 2018 has taken the PNG brand to another level. Our challenge is to deliver one of the best and most memorable APEC meetings.”