Numu keen to develop EHP agriculture, trade

By HELEN TARAWA
Eastern Highlands Governor Peter Numu has plans to develop agriculture, trade and investment and road infrastructure in his province.
Numu outlined his plans to Apec delegates and invited them to be a part of what the province has on offer on their arrival for a day-trip there yesterday.
“Our main aim is to foster a five-year economic development plan focusing on agriculture, trade and investment and road infrastructure,” he said.
“These three pillars of economic development will drive the province forward for the remaining five years of my term and it will extend to 20 years if I remain in power.
“Even though we are rich in unexploited natural resources, the road ahead in our bilateral agreement seems very promising.”
Numu said the economy was still young and needed support within the technical expertise such as capacity-building and development from within the 21 economies of Apec.
“We have a lot to offer in terms of land for agriculture, oil and gas, gold, copper and other mineral resources such as coffee and forest and many more.
“We are also mindful of the global impact and climate change that is affecting the world and we need to control the harvesting of our natural renewable resources,” he said.
Numu said the burden of transporting local producing to other centres and outside world is limited.
“We hope that your visit here will create more opportunities for our local small and medium enterprises and dialogue between our provincial governments.
“I encourage you Apec delegates to engage with our local SMEs to create market for our people.
“I hope that the main Apec meeting at the end of the year considers the free international trade agreement among Apec economies.
“Such a trade agreement will in terms of economic corporation will in turn foster economic prosperity in the member economies of Apec.”