PNG wants stronger business ties with Kiwis

PAPUA New Guinea and New Zealand plan to stimulate their trade and business relationship which has been stagnant for the past decade.
It follows a visit to Wellington by Richard Maru, the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry and a reciprocal visit to Port Moresby by Foreign Minister Murray McCully this month.
Maru said the bilateral relationship had been stagnant for the past 10 years but this should change as the O’Neill government plans to develop more trade and commerce between the two countries.
McCully will lead a trade delegation to PNG at the end of this month to look at a number of business opportunities in PNG.
The government will also sign a double-tax treaty with NZ during the visit.
Maru has requested the NZ government to increase the number of PNG citizens employed as seasonal workers there under the seasonal labour scheme.
Since the initial trial, six PNG citizens have been recruited and are currently working there. Vanuatu is the biggest beneficiary of the scheme.
Maru also invited NZ investors to enter into partnerships with PNG state enterprises to:
l    Develop hydro and geothermal power stations;
l    Invest in the dairy industry which PNG plans to start next year.
Maru also invited NZ businesses to invest in commercial sheep far­ming in PNG.
“These are two agriculture industries where NZ is a world leader and  they can help us.”
\ Maru said.