PNG, Sri Lanka look to strengthen trade, foreign ties

By Angela Paul
Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka are looking to strengthen trade and foreign interaction.
This was the indication behind the formalities of presentation of credential letters by Sosasundaram Skandkumar, the new Sri Lanka High Commissioner to PNG, to Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae in Port Moresby this week.
“Sri Lanka will focus more on developing partnership in mutual benefit with PNG,” Skandkumar said.
He said PNG was rich in natural and human resources and so as Sri Lanka, so both countries could work together to broaden bilateral ties. Sir Bob welcomed the high commissioner.
“There has been limited exchange with Sri Lanka in most aspects of our relationship since PNG and Sri Lanka formalised diplomatic relations in 1992,” he said.
“In this connection, there is a growing need to encourage more cooperation between both countries, hence Papua New Guinea is keen to explore new areas of trade.”
Sir Bob said this would lead to more interaction and discussions to formalisation of key bilateral instruments of economic and technical cooperation between the two countries.