PNG to attend Osaka expo

PRIME Minister James Marape confirmed yesterday that Papua New Guinea would attend the 2025 Osaka World Exposition in Japan.
The event will be attended by 150 countries and 25 international organisations.
Marape said PNG’s participation would have a significant impact, leading to diversification in the export market and an inflow of capital.
“This presents a remarkable opportunity for us to promote our nation as a prime tourism and investment destination,” he said.
“It will also enable us to showcase the high quality products we are ready to export, including our renowned coffee, cocoa, vanilla, kava, taro, marine products, unique items from our fashion industry.”
Marape said the Government had allocated funding in the 2024 national budget to facilitate PNG’s participation.
Peter Vincent, PNG’s outgoing ambassador to Malaysia, will be the commissioner-general of the PNG Pavilion.
He expressed confidence in Vincent’s ability, citing his experience with Air Niugini, as the Tourism Promotion Authority chief executive officer, and as ambassador to Malaysia.
The National Expo 2025 coordination team will be chaired by the National Trade Office.
The team will consist of representatives from the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council, Commerce and Industry, Treasury, Finance, National Planning and Monitoring, Justice and Attorney-General, Foreign Affairs, and International Trade and Investment.
“The political oversight committee will be headed by International Trade and Investment Minister Richard Maru and will include the ministers for Treasury, Commerce and Industry, and Foreign Affairs,” Marape said.