Basil supports subsidy programme

NATIONAL Planning and Monitoring Minister Sam Basil says he will look into the supply chain and bring in a good budget for the Government’s freight subsidy to help Papua New Guineans.
Basil, when witnessing the first export of Rigo mud crabs to Singapore, said: “In next year’s budget, the prime minister has said we will make sure to lock in the budget more of freight subsidy.
“We want to help our locals participate in the international market exports.
“I have made a stance that we do not want to continue to fund consultants or paper farmers in Port Moresby, this live export will kick start our move on how do we support such activities in terms of putting in government support in the freight subsidy programme because currently we are in the middle of one of the biggest freight subsidy from vegetables from Lae to Port Moresby.
“In doing so, we would like to support the export of our local produce.
“We are very happy to support the Rigo DDA (district development authority) with the supply of live crabs to Singapore.
“We want more of this to be done, because it will support our economy and our people.
“ The Covid-19 has brought many challenges but also opened up new opportunities.”
Department deputy secretary Michael Kumung said there were some good signs showing with the freight subsidy programme.