Japanese royalty visits Madang

 A MEMBER of the Japanese royal family and a representative of a leading Japanese fishing company flew into Madang on Monday to look at investment opportunities in the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone (PMIZ) project.

With 10 allotments at Vidar yet to be taken, a Malaysian company and others were already showing interest.

In a low key visit, Prince Nashimoto Takao, nephew Japan’s Emperor Akihito, of Hiroshi International, Japan’s largest fishing company, PNG ambassador to Indonesia Chris Vihruri and three Malaysian-based Japanese were part of the delegation.

A memorandum of agreement (MoA) which was to be affected between the parties will be shelved pending resolution of the political changes sweeping the country.

On arrival, the guests were treated to their favourite highly-priced dish of sashimi, while aboard the Kalibobo Spirit on their way to the RD Tuna Fishing site at Vidar and another at the RD Tuna Cannery later during an inspection.

Through an interpreter, the prince said they would be willing to invest US$500 million (K1.2 billion) which will see the upgrading of the Madang Airport and wharf at Vidar to international standards.

Being a maritime province and as a measure of concern to the Japanese, the team had indicated the need to install a hi-tech tsunami monitoring system.

After the visit, businessman Sir Peter Barter gave the visitors an aerial view of PMIZ facility in his helicopter.

Last Wednesday, the group left for the Bitapaka War Memorial, East New Britain, organised by PNG Women in Business for a memorial service organised the traditional Japanese way.