Free trade with China the way forward

THE business story “China, PNG ‘fast-tracking’ deal” in The National yesterday is well supported.
I was one of PNG’s nine person government delegations, lead by the former parliament speaker and prime minister Sir William Skate, to China to introduce and promote free trade agreement between China and PNG nearly 20 years ago and I was pleased to read that the Chinese ambassador to PNG said that the process was underway to fast track a free trade agreement between the two countries and I wish to express my full support.
The free trade agreement between China and PNG is a must for national and provincial government business arms to tap into countries like China where the market demands are economically large.
Free trade between our two countries will open up free trade markets and see a reduction of trading costs in terms of unnecessary taxes on direct flights or shipping links to and from and reduce landing and departure costs for goods coming in and going out between the two countries.
Under the free trade agreement, we will have direct flights and shipping services between the two countries which is very good for business arms of all levels of government.
Because of direct links, Chinese goods coming into PNG and PNG products leaving our shores will be sold cheaply in both PNG and China – good news for both countries.
The PNG Government must stop borrowing from overseas and concentrate on promoting and trading our national resource projects under free trade with rich countries like China.
This is the way forward.

Samson C Napo
Former Bulolo MP