Aussies arrive in Lae

 By ELLEN TIAMU

TWO delegations from Australia are visiting Lae to mark Australia week.

The first delegation includes four Australian MPs – Sharon Grierson, Senator Ian Macdonald, Jane Prentice and Mike Symon and Australian High Commission officials. 

President of the Lae Chamber of Commerce Allan McLay said the delegation visited the Lae Port  yesterday to see first-hand developments that were taking place. 

They will be visiting the National Polytechnic College today where they will gain an idea of this training institution.

The other Australian delegation of 17 members from the Cairns Chamber of Commerce are also in Lae to see what developments are occurring in the city and the opportunities available for their businesses. 

The visitors will discuss topics of mutual interest with Lae businessmen and women. 

A function was hosted by the Lae Chamber of Commerce last night. It was sponsored by the Lae International Hotel.

McLay said the function, part of the Australia week event, was to  enable business people in Australia and PNG to network and discuss  business opportunities.  

Lae Lord Mayor James Khay will host Cairns Mayor Bob Manning at a function this evening to re-invigorate the Lae-Cairns sister city agreement that was initiated in 1984. 

The agreement has provided many benefits to both cities over the years, with staff  and cultural exchanges and project assistance from Cairns city engineers. 

Lae is looking forward to exchanging flags and signing the agreement, which is expected to strengthen ties if plans for a direct Lae-Cairns flight come off.