PNG thanks all

By MALUM NALU and GYNNIE KERO
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has thanked the leaders of the Apec economies for coming to Papua New Guinea and making the people feel more like “part of the global community”.
“We are grateful for your visit,” he said.
“It has essentially given our people in Papua New Guinea a lot of hope, in the sense that they are part of the global community, and especially the Asia-Pacific region.”
He said it has been a “momentous week” for the nation.
“As a developing economy of Apec, we’ve come to complete our first year of chairing Apec. I want to thank the Apec members for your strong support in advancing the Apec agenda, for highly recommending the relevant recommendations which you have presented to the Apec leaders, and which will contribute to guide and develop the policies of Apec.”
Leaders of the 20 economies began leaving Port Moresby at the conclusion of the Leaders’ Summit he chaired at Apec Haus. It was the final meeting of the Leaders’ Week, following the Chief Executive Officers’ Summit on Friday and Saturday.
O’Neill said on Friday hosting the event had been “challenging but rewarding” for the nation.
“After 25 years of membership, it is the right time to host because our economy continues to grow.”
He gave as an example of growth the oversubscription of the PNG bond by 600 per cent on the international market two months ago.
“PNG has now become part of the international financial architecture. This is a real confidence for our country and our people and especially for investors who are interested in our country,” he said.
“Tourism, agriculture, fisheries has seen strong investments and the resource sector. We are increasing trade and business in the region.”
There was no communique issued yesterday.
He thanked the Apec Business Advisory Council (Abac) for setting the agenda for the Leaders’ Summit.
“On behalf of the Apec leaders, I am pleased to note the concise nature of the key recommendations in the Abac letter and in the Abac summary,” O’Neill said.
He also thanked Abac leaders and members for their supplementary report provided on specific activities organised and co-organised by Abac PNG. “While the activities were held too late to be incorporated in the letter and reported to the leaders, I note that they complement Abac’s main report.
“In preparing for this dialogue, Abac has proposed discussions in the dialogue groupings around three major recommendations made in your letter to the leaders.”
O’Neill thanked Abac for organising the Chief Executive Officers’ Summit.
“The summit helped extend an expanded thinking on central contemporary issues that will continue to guide us, and project the work of Apec into decades ahead,” he said.