K200m town in city

By JEFFREY ELAPA
PORT Moresby is to have its own Chinatown built for around K200 million in what Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says is a sign of a “growing modern city”.
“I’m sure this new town is going to reflect Port Moresby as a growing modern city. Every progressing city in the world has a Chinatown,” he said.
The investment at Jack Pidik Park, Five-Mile, will consist a shopping mall, restaurants, cinemas, offices and apartments.
Chinese company Baosen International Holding Limited was given the green light by the Lands Department and the National Capital District Commission to go ahead with the project.
O’Neill said the total cost of the investment would rise to “close to a billion kina”. Construction is expected to take two years.
O’Neill said during the ground-breaking ceremony it was an iconic development, fostering the bilateral relations with China which began more than 43 years ago.
“I have no doubt this particular investment will reflect the many changes experienced not only in the city but all across the country because of the Government’s direct intervention,” he said.
“We know the shops, cinemas, apartments, hotels will be something different from what we have never seen in the country. It is going to be a reflection of a true modern PNG.”
He also said the recently signed $US13 billion Papua LNG project agreement would increase economic growth by another 3 percent, similar to the PNG LNG project.”
“I commend Mr Lin-Sen and his son Lin-Sen Junior for the decision to invest in the country to help grow the economy,” he said.
The event yesterday was witnessed by Chinese Ambassador Xu Bing, NCD Governor Powes Parkop, Land Minister Justin Tkatchenko and the Minister for Housing John Kaupa.
“Our country is transforming, not only in Port Moresby but all throughout the country because of the strong commitment our government is investing in the remote districts over the last five years, transforming infrastructure, roads, schools and health facilities, airports and of course we are building communication and power generation. That is going to underpin the growth of our economy,” he said.