Naru: Province to make use of advantages

 MOROBE Governor Kelly Naru says competitive advantages have helped the province to carve a niche as Papua New Guinea’s main industrial hub and create a dynamic export zone for the fishing industry, both of which have the potential to support longer-term growth.

Naru told the global publishing, research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG) that Morobe’s strategic location was seen by many as the province’s strongest asset, helping it to stand apart from Port Moresby. 

“We are right at the centre of the nation, therefore, ideally connected to other provinces via land and sea, unlike the capital city” he said. 

“We boast the country’s largest port, which absorbs most of the imports and exports coming in and out of Papua New Guinea.”

The full interview with Naru appears in The Report: Papua New Guinea 2015, OBG’s forthcoming guide to the country’s economic activity and investment opportunities. 

In the interview, Naru shares his thoughts on the changes taking place across Morobe’s business scene. 

OBG’s analysis of Morobe will  look at the province’s role in Papua New Guinea’s development, while considering what sets it aside from the National Capital District.

Naru told OBG that efforts to encourage economic growth in Morobe would see a greater focus placed on harnessing the province’s downstream processing potential and building value added. 

“There are five tuna factories operating in the city already, but two more are coming on-stream this year, which could easily turn Lae [Morobe’s capital city] into the tuna capital of the region and beyond,” he explained.

Naru highlighted the importance of bringing customary landowners on board as active participants in projects, describing the move as “the only way to trigger economic growth in our region”.

He added that ensuring new agreements in the oil and gas industry took account of local needs was essential for future development.