Farming, tourism seen as drivers of economy

By PETER ESILA
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill says agriculture and tourism will always be the drivers of the national economy.
He witnessed the signing in Port Moresby yesterday of the Shareholders’ Agreement for the Sepik Chicken Grain and Cocoa Innovation Project in the Sepik Plains of the Yangoru-Saussia district of East Sepik. The initial investment in the project is K30 million.
“This is an important project, not only for East Sepik but for the entire country,” O’Neill said.
“By developing that, we can employ more people. It is not only a sector that is going to build income for our people but also give them employment.
“We are a country that has been in agriculture for thousands of years. We are looking for better jobs and the city life and forget the land that has been sustaining us for thousands of years.”
Minister for National Planning and Implementation Richard Maru said the project in the Sepik Economic Zone was set to go.
Shareholders in the project are Kumul Consolidated Holdings through the new Kumul Agriculture Limited (40 per cent), East Sepik provincial government (2.5 per cent), Yangoru Saussia District Development Authority (2.5 per cent), Traditional Landowners Trust Fund (5 per cent) and the Innovative Agro Industries Limited (50 per cent).
“It is envisaging that the project should be in full operation by 2020.”