Chamber gives credits to Apec for rise in interest from overseas

Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry (POMCCI) has registered a rise in interest from international business delegations this year and credits this to Apec.
The main objective of these delegates is to partner with existing businesses and find commercial interests worth investing in the country, says chamber president Rio Fiocco.
“There is no doubt that there is a lot of interest now in Papua New Guinea, particularly from the other Apec economies,” he said.
“We had a visits recently with representatives with the Thai Chamber of Commerce and quite a large delegation from the United States.
“We are expecting more visits from other Apec countries.
“Our American colleagues said that they were well received during their first visit that they plan to come back either during or after Apec this year.
“Apec, as well as large infrastructure in recent years, has attracted the attention of global companies who are keen to come in and explore ways to partner and grow commercial interest here.”
The latest of such visits is from New Zealand-PNG Business Council which is in the country from a weeklong trade mission, Ficco said.
“It is chaired by Murray McCully, who was the New Zealand minister for foreign affairs for many years and is very familiar with PNG,” he said.
“There’re about a dozen New Zealand companies that have come up for this trip.
“They are very keen to interact with business as well as Government officials here. They are very keen to explore opportunities to joint-venture and provide their expertise and business experience in helping the country develop.”
Fiocco said outside of agriculture, the New Zealand delegation was also looking at sectors like energy and education, while also trying to be part of the drive of PNG’s growing digital economy.