PM rallies PNG

By HELEN TARAWA
STAND up and be counted, says Prime Minister Peter O’Neill as he rallies the nation to host one of the best Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summits this week.
Despite having been a member economy of Apec for 22 years, it will be the first time PNG is hosting it.
“Some member countries have hosted twice or three times already. We have never had an opportunity until this year,” O’Neill said.
“PNG has a huge potential in economic development, in the leadership of the region. And we are the only one in the Pacific region to be a member and be able to host these meetings.”
He will open the Chief Executive Officers Summit on Friday morning, then chair the important Leaders’ Summit on Sunday to be attended by United States Vice-President Mike Pence, China’s President Xi Jinping, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, South Korea President Moon Jae-in, Indonesian President Joko Wadodo and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
O’Neill told Parliament on Friday the country should expect a lot of benefits from hosting the event.
“The 21 countries’ economies represent 60 per cent of the world and is part of the Pacific Ocean,” he said.
“We are privileged to be a part of Apec because we have the opportunity to trade within these countries.
“We can bring more investors into our country.”
O’Neill said Australia was the biggest trade partner in PNG followed by the US, Japan and China.
“These countries will come (this week) and it’s our opportunity to showcase our potential,” he said.
“We don’t have enough money to develop our country.
“We need global trade and investment to create business opportunities.”
O’Neill urged MPs and the people to look at the event in a positive light.
“Don’t be misled about Apec,” he said.
“We are building the nation. Huge benefits will come to us.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“We are living and delivering within our means.
“Papua New Guineans have to be proud of this.
“This is a time for you to be counted.
“Stand up for it.”
Some of world biggest economies which are part of Apec include the United States of America, Japan, China, Korea, Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Chile, Peru, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia and the Philippines.
O’Neill said they represented about 50 per cent of businesses, investments and trade in the world.