PM hopes Russia visit will ‘expand horizons’

Business

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill will lead a Government and business delegation to Russia later this year at the invitation of the Russian government.
The invitation was extended to him by Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev during the Apec Leaders’ Summit in Port Moresby last November.
O’Neill last week met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing and confirmed the visit.
“I had a good discussion with President Putin last week. He asked if our delegation will be visiting this year and I confirmed it will take place,” he said.
“While there has not been much exchange with Russia in the past, this has been growing in recent years, particularly since Papua New Guinea’s emergence in the LNG sector.
“There are industry synergies and investment opportunities that can be discussed, and Russia has extensive technical experience in gas production.”
O’Neill said there were also opportunities for Papua New Guinea businesses.
“As we expand our agricultural exports there are opportunities to explore opportunities in Eastern Russia, and we are also seeing an increase in Russian tourists coming to PNG,” he said.
“Our country must continue to expand our horizons for trade and investment that lead to further job creation.
“We look forward to expanding our engagement with Russia.”
O’Neill said Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Rimbink Pato is leading discussions with the Russian government on the trip.
Meanwhile, the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry supported by the Miklouho-Macklay Foundation, Russian Federation Foreign Affairs Ministry and the PNG business community will be hosting a Russia-PNG seminar based on the theme “Russia-Papua New Guinea: Cooperative perspectives” in Port Moresby on May 13.
According to Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the meeting will see an exchange of views is planned on issues of perspective areas of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.