First decade critical: Peipul

THE first decade of the mega 40-year PNG Strategic Vision is “very critical” as it will “make or break” the desired outcomes of the plan after that.
“It is very important that all stakeholders, importantly landowners, support land reforms and impact projects as the returns will be beneficial to the nation in the long term,” Peter Peipul, member of the PNG Strategic Vision (PNGSV) task force, said.
Mr Peipul urged landowners in important projects like the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone not to entertain persons or groups that are lobbying against such developments.
“They must not be gullible as such projects will generate much wealth and improve living standards and will continue to do so even after all mineral and petroleum resources are exhausted,” he said.
The PNG Strategic Vision, the brainchild of Deputy Prime Minister Sir Puka Temu, is known as the National Strategic Plan 2010-50.
The PNGSV task force contends that the fisheries sector is a sustainable one and will remain commercially viable long after mineral and petroleum resources run out.
“Such projects will generate greater economic growth, and it is critical that landowners support it, as it is in line with the PNG Strategic Vision 2010-50,” Mr Peipul said.
The focus of the plan is wealth creation and service delivery improvement that is derived from sustainable industries such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry and eco-tourism.
“Land reform and impact projects, among others, must be carried out to set the base for growth in the first 10 years of the PNG Strategic Vision to set out a strong foundation for the years later,” he said.
He said with the land reforms through such sustainable commercial projects, the economy could grow by an additional 1.2 %.
“Cumulative over the years, this will translate into much more in our GDP by 2020 and subsequently increase income per capita,” he explained.
He agrees that the multi-billion kina PNG LNG project may have immense economic potential, but unlike renewable and sustainable resources, it will end at some point.