Paki, Tejano appointed as trade reps in Aust, Manila

By MAX ORAKA
THE National Executive Council has appointed two honorary trade commissioners in Australia and the Philippines.
Rex Paki is the honorary trade commissioner to Australia based in Brisbane.
Dr Bienvenido Tejano is the honorary trade commissioner to the Philippines based in Manila.
Paki is an Australian resident who is the managing principal of PNG Ram Business Consultants.
Tejano is a Philippine resident.
International Trade and Investment Richard Maru said honorary trade commissioners were people of high repute who had an extensive network to represent PNG’s interest.
“They act to represent our interests. That is why they are labelled honorary and not just trade commissioners. We want to do more trade and business with other countries and find market opportunities to attract more investors.
“We are not just employing people but also looking for people based in countries that will represent the country’s interest.”
One of the requirements is that those appointed must be residents of the countries to which PNG is appointing them.
“These appointments are important because PNG is now moving from having foreign relationships based on diplomatic relationships to now having relationships anchored on trade and investment,” the Minister said.
The honorary trade commissioners’ responsibility is to promote trade and investment by finding export markets for PNG goods and attract investors.
“They will also be helping us arrange trade and investment conferences around the world like the PNG-Asia investment conference in Hong Kong last year,” he said.
“They will report directly to ministry and department.
“PNG will save K5 million through these appointments who are not paid by the Government.
“But they will work with PNG heads of missions and diplomatic staff of all high commissions and embassies throughout the world.”