PNG-Indonesia business ties at unprecedented levels: PM

The National National
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (left) and Prime Minister James Marape during a bilateral meeting at Apec Haus in Port Moresby. – Nationalpics by KENNEDY BANI

THE business relations between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea have reached unprecedented levels, says Prime Minister James Marape.
Marape made this known in a statement following the state visit by Indonesian President Joko Widodo to Port Moresby on Wednesday.
“We have opened the doors for increased business-to-business engagements between our two countries,” he said.
“We are deeply honoured to ho

Indonesian President Joko Widodo inspecting a guard of honour at the Jackson International Airport.

st President Widodo, especially considering Indonesia’s remarkable position as the 16th largest economy in the world with a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of US$1.392 trillion (about K4.9 trillion) and the seventh largest by purchasing power parity (PPP) GDP of US$4.398 trillion (about K15.8 trillion).
“We are privileged to have such an economic giant as our neighbour.”
Marape further emphasised the significance of Widodo’s monumental visit, which focused not only on government-to-government matters but also on the core objectives of Marape’s Pangu Pati: fostering economic growth and enhancing commerce and trade relations.
To facilitate this collaboration at the highest level, Marape announced the establishment of a task force, led by Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso and International Trade and Investment Minister Richard Maru, in partnership with the Indonesian counterparts.
One of the notable achievements of the visit was the agreement for Indonesia to sponsor 2,000 Papua New Guinean students to pursue higher education in Indonesian colleges and universities.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Prime Minister James Marape and other government officials arriving for the bilateral meeting in Port Moresby.

Marape highlighted the reciprocity of the arrangement, stating: “For every student Indonesia sponsors, we will match their support by sponsoring another student from Papua New Guinea.
“We aim to foster increased business-to-business and people-to-people relations between our nations.”

Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s entourage departing Apec Haus after a bilateral meeting on Wednesday.

Other major outcomes for this visit include:

  • A grant assistance agreement for the Port Moresby General Hospital to be signed, worth K55 million to improve the ICU and the mortuary;
  • A grant assistance agreement for the West Sepik integrated development project to the tune
    of K5 million;
  • KEY announcement of the mutual visa waiver exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders by PNG;
  • ANNOUNCEMENT of ratification and review of the basic border agreement;
  • ANNOUNCEMENT of the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on mutual administrative assistance in customs matters;
  • ANNOUNCEMENT on the signing of the MoU on combating transnational crimes;
  • LAUNCHING of Indonesia’s Citilink flights between Port Moresby and Denpasar; and,
  • CONCLUSION of the MoU on higher education between the two countries.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo arriving at the Jackson International Airport in Port Moresby.

“I offer my heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of Indonesia for the grant assistance valued at K60 million for integrated projects in West Sepik provinces, especially at Vanimo and Wutung and the upgrading of the Port Moresby General Hospital ICU and mortuary,” Marape said.
He added that a major boost to trade and tourism was the inaugural flight from Denpasar to Port Moresby on July 2.
He said this opened an alternate route to Asian and globally through this successful air services agreement.