Park to offer 20,000 jobs

 By GYNNIE KERO

THE K1 billion Madang industrial project will be built soon to create 20,000 jobs once completed, Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry Richard Maru says.

He said the project was important to the country because of its sustainability, export value and job creation for locals.

Maru said the three parties who had objected to the project were in court yesterday to withdraw their objections.

“The lawyers are in court now (yesterday) for the three plaintiffs to withdraw the case so the government can move ahead with the construction phase of the very important project.

“During a recent trip to Philippines, I was told by some big tuna companies that they estimated that PNG exports around US$ 2 billion worth of unprocessed tuna to Philippines and Thailand and some of the biggest tuna factories in the world.

“We are losing in terms of export value up to K20 billion or more.

“The Madang Industrial Park has an export value of between K10 billion to K20 billion if we process our own fish and can create 20,000 jobs plus. 

“This is combining all jobs in the mining and petroleum sectors. 

“The mining and petroleum sector directly does not employ many.

“The Madang Industrial park development is a sustainable project provided we don’t over-fish.”