Tkatchenko reminds Parliament of opportunity to showcase PNG

By HELEN TARAWA
APEC Minister Justin Tkatchenko told Parliament yesterday in a progress report that hosting Apec provided an enormous opportunity to showcase to the world the opportunities that exist in PNG.
“Now is the time to tell the world just who we are.
“Let’s embrace Apec and welcome Apec and the world to PNG.
“The hosting of Apec provides a great opportunity for our nation, our industries and economic sectors, and for the creation of jobs for our people.
“Through Apec, Papua New Guinea has access to technical expertise, to capacity building and policy advice that other developing countries could only dream of,” he said.
Tkatchenko said the benefits of hosting Apec will last for many years beyond host year – and will strengthen many sectors in the economy.
The opportunities for Papua New Guinea as a destination for global investment will be enhanced, and this will lead to increased trade, business and jobs, he said.
“Get behind Papua New Guinea and our new position in the global community.
“I will continue to update this House on Apec preparations as we draw closer to the Apec Leaders’ Summit.
Tkatchenko refuted claims that billions of Kina had been spent this year on Apec preparations.
“Why would these people talk down the greatest international event in our history?
“Why would these wreckers try to mislead the people of Papua New Guinea with fake news?
“Why would they try to embarrass Papua New Guinea in the international community?” he queried.
Tkatchenko said these people have criticized the resealing of roads in Port Moresby.
He said that the Poreporena Freeway was built twenty years ago – and had fallen into a state of disrepair.
This resealing is being done as a gift to the people of Papua New Guinea from the Government of China,” Tkatchenko said.