Meeting outcome pleases envoy

 By SHIRLEY MAULUDU

Papua New Guinea Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Vihruri is pleased with the outcome of the meetings between Government officials and members of the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The delegation arrived on Sunday and held investment discussions with officials and heads of organisations including the Treasury Department, Bank of Papua New Guinea, Internal Revenue Commission, PNG Customs Services, Investment Promotion Authority and National Fisheries Authority. 

They also held talks with Westpac officials.  

Vihruri told The National that information presented to the delegation were very relevant. 

He hopes that some members will return to pursue investment opportunities.  

“I’m very pleased. I’m very happy that these people came because they are coming to see opportunities and I know they will come back – I will make sure they will come back,” he said.

“The briefing from the Central Bank Governor, the Treasury Secretary, the IRC Commissioner and Ray Paul, the Customs Commissioner – they said all the right things that will help these potential investors come back. 

“My job is to make sure they come back. 

“No matter how hard people like me try to market and promote Papua New Guinea overseas, it’s very difficult because there is a lot of negative perceptions out there.

“When you bring people like these here, they see the situations first-hand and that can help to dismiss some of those bad perceptions.

“We are very grateful that Westpac came. Because it is a foreign business that has been operating in the country for the past 100-plus years. When the delegates hear from them, they are happy.”

The delegation came on the invitation of Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch.