Polye gets hero’s welcome on return home

 TREASURER Don Polye received a hero’s welcome yesterday when he arrived in Port Moresby after taking up his post as chairman of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

He was treated like royalty by members of his Triumph Heritage Empowerment (THE) Party, supporters and people of his Kandep electorate, in Enga, when he arrived from Washington DC.

Polye held a media conference at the VIP Lounge at Jackson International Airport before being led through a phalanx of Chimbu people in traditional dress.

“The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are two of the most important organisations in the world,” he said.

“Papua New Guinea is now recognised and respected by many other countries. 

“Normally, the position of the chair of the board of the two bodies is shared among countries that are well-off, more affluent.

“But this is changing because people are looking at developing nations. They’ve given us a vote of confidence.

“I’m really proud of that, not because Don Polye has been given that position, but because Papua New Guinea has been given that position and is recognised by the rest of the world.

“They’ve all got positive views about Papua New Guinea because of our gross domestic product growth. It’s a vote of confidence in Papua New Guinea, our leadership, our management style.

“We are a member of the international village and I will show that Papua New Guinea has something to offer.”

Polye said he would draw up a schedule so that he could fit in his international, ministerial and electoral duties.

Finance Minister James Marape congratulated Polye on behalf of the Government and people of PNG.

“Let me join the nation in congratulating you for being recognised by these two global institutions,” he told Polye.

“This is testament to the recognition our country is receiving internationally.

“We’re now becoming global players.”