Build wharves to lift trade relations with Indonesia: Maru

THE Government should build wharves in East Sepik and West Sepik to boost trade relations with Indonesia, says Yangoru-Saussia MP Richard Maru.
“(Prime Minister James) Marape was in East Sepik (recently) and slept there for one night (but) never told the people that he will improve the economy by constructing wharves in Wewak and Vanimo,” Maru said.
He said a feasibility study was done in 2018 to build the wharves in the provinces.
“(It) shows that the wharves are economically viable projects,” he said.
“What is the Government doing to find the funding to complete the Wewak and Vanimo international wharves so our vast agriculture economic potential and trade with Indonesia can be realised?
“These wharves need to be constructed to tap into the vast Indonesian economy.
“It is the greatest opportunity for PNG to develop the Sepik Plains into the region’s food bowl and export food into the Indonesian market.”
Maru listed exports as cattle, rice, chicken, eggs, vanilla, cocoa and palm oil.
“Without these two international wharves, PNG cannot develop its vast trade potential with Indonesia,” he said.
“Indonesia also has large high quality and cheaper goods to trade with PNG.”
He said Australia recently finalised a free trade agreement with Indonesia after 10 years of negotiations.
“Papua New Guinea, with a land border with Indonesia, is sitting idle with its eyes closed,” Maru said.