PNG gained under Abe: PM

PRIME Minister James Marape says the country had benefitted so much from Japan during the term of the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Abe was shot while campaigning in Japan on Friday.
He later died in hospital.
Marape said PNG benefitted from the electrification partnership with Japan signed during the Asia Pacific Economic Corporation meeting (Apec) in Port Moresby in 2018, and the Nadzab airport development in Morobe.
“Relationships between Japan and PNG were very strong during his time as prime minister of Japan,” he said.
“Abe visited PNG in 2014 and for Apec in 2018. “Japan was the first buyer of PNG LNG in 2014.
“Abe strengthened the Pacific Islands Leaders’ Meeting (Palm) process, brought PNG into the G7 and strengthened our role in Apec.”
He said Japan provided long-term assistance to PNG through socio-economic and human resources development, visits and international conferences such as Palm.
Marape said a loan from Japan helped to finance the K19.6 billion 2021 national budget, repay debts and stabilise the economy.
Former prime minister Peter O’Neill said: “We have lost a global leader who cared deeply about his own people and those of other nations. Stamped in his bones was a desire to serve others before himself; to look for solutions and ways to avoid conflict and to move Japan and the region forward, together.
“We will remember that it was Abe who was instrumental in leading the formation of the PNG electrification partnership to raise K5.6 billion to allow 70 per cent of our people access to power.”