PM’s trips ‘important’
PRIME Minster James Marape’s trips to neighbouring countries are important to invite potential investors to the country, an official says.
Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Rio Fiocco gave his views to The National on Marape’s trips.
Marape is currently in New Zealand, then will visit Solomon Islands, Indonesia, the Philippines and the United States.
Fiocco said PNG had a lot of potential to generate revenue in different sectors of the economy and needed international expertise and investment.
“Marape needs to talk to our neighbours in the region, fellow Apec economies and encourage investment from them,” he said.
“We have lots of opportunities in the resource sectors, agriculture and tourism. And we need development partners and experienced companies to come and invest and develop the economy.”
Business Advantage International publishing director Andrew Wilkins said: “Papua New Guinea has a great story to tell to international investors and partners”.
“It’s really important that the country takes that conversation to them because you cannot necessarily expect everyone to come to PNG to hear those messages.
“So the fact that the prime minister is willing to go to these other counties and have those conversations is a very important sign.”
Marape said the visit was to focus on trade and commerce, business and economic relations.
One thought on “PM’s trips ‘important’”
These trips are more than often polite familiarizations and achieve little in the long-term as PNG has a serious accountability problem coupled with systemic corruption issues. (example the APEC luxury cars given to MP’s). The rationale is so flimsy that no one is fooled. If PNG desires to be a nation known for trust and transparany then it is essential that those in power, influence and decision making exemplify such. My involvement with this nation commenced in 1967 and continues to date, however – school without basic supplies, health services generally sub-standard in rural areas, basic rights ignored and crime rampant hardly provides an image of confidence. I guess the PM will enjoy his junket tour at the expense of the taxpayer.
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