Maru opens energy door – The National

NATIONAL Planning and Monitoring Minister Richard Maru told a visiting German delegation that ensuring affordable, clean and reliable energy for the people is a key focus of the government.
The six-member delegation from the German Bundestag/Parliament (members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group) expressed interest in the renewable energy sector when they met with Maru in Port Moresby last Friday.
Maru welcomed the opportunities of looking into hydro, wind energy, solar and biomass to ensure that PNG could meet its target of reaching 70 per cent of its population by 2030.
He acknowledged the important history that went back to the 1800s between PNG and Germany and the mission last week was timely given the growing economic dynamics in PNG and how best it could take forward aneffective development cooperation with Germany and their private sector.
Maru emphasised the stability of Government, having had only two Governments in 16 years and a stable Government Policy in many areas including Trade and Investment.
The German parliamentary officials raised concerns on the negative perceptions on PNG in
terms of potential tourism and the opportunities it can take forward to change the perceptions.
Maru acknowledged the concerns and emphasised that Apec 2018 hosted by PNG demonstrated a positive image of PNG and to a great degree proved a positive perception of PNG.
The Government is keen to attract more German tourists to the country and look into innovative approaches to increase numbers.
The German group through the Office of the Minister for Development Corporation, will officially invite the National Planning minister and a PNG Trade and Investment delegation to visit Germany in the next few months to meet other German parliamentarians to take forward potential development cooperation investment discussions and meet with the German private sector to discuss investment opportunities.
This is the first major German parliamentary delegation to explore the opportunities to develop a long term partnership with the PNG Government, and the private sector.
The delegation left the country yesterday.