China, PNG agree to build centre

 CHINA and Papua New Guinea have agreed on the construction of an international convention centre in Port Moresby.

The building complex will be located on a land area of 10,000 square kilometres at Waigani. 

The project is funded at an initial cost of US$20 million (K43.5 million) but the final cost is expected to be US$30 million (K65.2 million). 

Construction work will be carried out by China Jiangxi International Cooperation, a state-owned company. 

Director of National Museum and Art Gallery Dr Andrew Moutu said yesterday the national government had invested K36 million in the project. 

National Planning and Monitoring Minister Charles Abel thanked the Chinese government for the support. 

“The government through the museum will support and maintain the building,” he said. 

China Jiangxi International Cooperation country manager Johnny Huang said the project was expected to be completed in January 2015. 

“PNG is our new market and the project is the biggest in the South Pacific,” he said.

The building will include a banquet area, conference rooms, prime minister’s office, media conference room and facilities, business centre and a medical room.