PNG exposed to opportunities in the East and West: Officials

PAPUA New Guinea is now exposed to economic opportunities within the Asia Pacific region and on international arena but it should be careful when dealing with the political expansion of West and East.
Dame Meg Taylor and Dr Clement Waine both silenced a room full of economist and analysis yesterday during the PNG Business Council 2024 Outlook meeting when outlining the pros and cons of the expansion of the East and West in the region.
Dame Meg said PNG and Pacific Island leaders now had a voice through the Pacific Island leaders Forum to take ownership of the Blue Pacific region concept and collectively speak on issues which would benefit their people.
“We are seeing the rapid expansion and influence of China and the US in our region, both with their own interest,” she said.
“China’s interest is power expansion and the US is more military expansion.
“What this says about our country and the region that we are in is that, while they are powerhouse, our leaders have the opportunity to collectively speak up of the Pacific Interest,” Dame Meg said.
Meanwhile, Waine urged the Government to consider all sides.
He said while there was turmoil in Russia and Eastern Europe, China was also having its own economic difficulties and new regional powers such as India and Indonesia were rising.