Invest in agro, tourism: PM

PRIME Minister James Marape has urged businesses in Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea to look more into agriculture, fisheries and tourism.
Marape told business people during a luncheon in Honiara that there were about 52 PNG businesses in the Solomon Islands, and that was likely to increase.
He urged Solomon Islanders to set up businesses in PNG.
He said the Asian market was a growing and affluent one which needed organic food, clean water, rest and recreation.
“These things we have in the Solomon Islands and PNG,” he said.
Marape said both countries could learn from Israel and New Zealand, who were small but now “agriculture powerhouses”.
He said the global demand for fisheries products was increasing and this was where the two countries could make an impact.
“Pacific Island waters hold 70 per cent of the world’s tuna supply,” he said.
“Tuna belongs to the healthy food I was alluding to.
“We don’t need skyscrapers or big technology hubs to rush into the spaces of other nations.
“I propose to us today: Look into the space of food and look into the space of tourism.”
Marape said PNG could be like New Zealand, however, “we are lazy”.
“We want the easy money from oil and gas,” he said.
Marape pointed out the example of Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Ltd, a subsidiary of PNG company New Britain Palm Oil Ltd, which was now one of the largest export earners for the Solomon Islands.
Marape said he had discussed with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare about providing incentives for businesses from the two countries.
“I’m an advocate of agriculture and sustainable business,” Marape said.
“Whilst other business are important, I know that every day, I will not be looking for gold and gas: I will be looking for food.”