PNG ready to host PM Modi

A MEMORANDUM of understanding (MOU) on cooperation in micro small to medium enterprises (MSMES) between India and Papua New Guinea is one of many issues expected to be discussed between Prime Minister James Marape and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
Marape, who is also acting Foreign Affairs Minister, made this known in a statement on Saturday, saying PNG is ready to host Modi on May 21-22 in Port Moresby.
He said the National Executive Council had endorsed possible deliverables to be formalised when Modi visited.
Marape said some of the possible deliverables included: Reciprocal visa-on-arrival arrangements, visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders, cultural exchange programme (CEP), MOU’s among others including between the election commissions of India and PNG, the state-owned Indian broadcaster Prasar Bharati and National Broadcasting Corporation PNG, foreign office consultation, on Information and Communication Technology cooperation and various proposals on assistance to be given by India to PNG.
The non-implemented MOUs are: on the K353 million line of credit from Exim Bank of India signed in April 2016 for the construction of Madang-Baiyer Road and Kimbe-Hoskins Road; on cooperation in the fields of health care and medical science signed in April 2016 and on the K530 million line of credit signed in September 2019 at the FIPIC Summit.
“Cabinet has directed the Department of Foreign Affairs to liaise with relevant sectoral agencies and departments to ensure the above deliverables are ready on time to be announced during my meeting with Prime Minister Modi.” Marape said.