Maru plans to meet British counterpart

MINISTER for Trade, Commerce and Industry Richard Maru hopes to meet his British counterpart to discuss any impact of Brexit to Papua New Guinea.
He will be attending an inaugural Commonwealth Trade Ministers meeting in London next month.
He said he was “working to secure a bilateral meeting with the UK’s Trade Minister (Greg Hands) to discuss a number of issues and in particular Brexit and its implications on Papua New Guinea”.
He also said he was “aware that the exit of the UK from the EU will not be immediate but to take place after two years”.
“However, this initial meeting with the British Trade minister will provide an indication as to the possible arrangements that might need to be considered in the future to securing PNG’s interests with the UK,” he said.
The trade ministers’ meeting will discuss areas in which the Commonwealth can work together to strengthen trade and investment links between member countries.
Maru said Commonwealth countries wanted to establish new trading relationships at a time of stagnating global trade and increasing protectionism sentiments.
He also noted the uncertainty following UK’s move to break away from the European Union.
Maru will attend the meeting next month.