Maru satisfied with recent trip overseas

INTERNATIONAL Trade and Investment Minister Richard Maru has described his recent trip abroad as successful and satisfying.
He and his delegation joined Prime Minister James Marape and East Sepik Governor Allan Bird in attending the funeral of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.
They also met Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Maru also met the chief executive and chairman of Japan Development Institute Dr Shoichi Kobayashi who wants to develop a new Special Economic Zone master plan for the country.
A team from the institute is expected to arrive in PNG at the end of the month for a 10-day trip to work on the proposed plan.
Maru also visited Singapore and met with the trade and industry minister Kim Yong Gan.
The two countries do not have a trade agreement.
Maru told Gan about the establishment of PNG trade mission in Singapore early next year.
“We are looking at hosting a big trade fair in Singapore next year once our trade mission is established,” Maru said.
He also visited the Philippines and met with the secretary for the department of trade and industry Alfredo Pascual.
The two countries are yet to formalise a trade agreement.
It is also a concern that the Philippines government provides on-arrival visa for PNG while PNG does not provide the same.