Preparations for APEC on time: Official

 Papua New Guinea will be ready for the 2018 Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) summit, PNG APEC interim chief executive officer Chris Hawkins says.

Hawkins  said 21-member economies in the Asia Pacific region would take part in the summit in Port Moresby.

He told The National that despite criticisms of PNG’s ability to host the APEC summit, he believed the country had the capacity to host a successful meeting.

“I think there has been skepticism both externally and internally on whether PNG can host the APEC but I believe people will be very surprised,” he said.

“From a security perspective it is actually quite manageable where the security operations can utilise what we have already in Port Moresby as it is going be the biggest concern when you have twenty one leaders in one location and in one room.

“We have the basis of what we need where a lot of infrastructure have been constructed already as part of the Government’s 2 billion infrastructure roll out in the city.

“So we have the primary road that takes us to the main APEC venues and then we have the secondary roads which provide a supplement optimal security perspective so that we can ensure that leaders travelling between venues will be safe.

“In terms of infrastructure we have a lot more planning to do, and it’s a mammoth task ahead.

“But because we are starting as early as we are, we have the opportunity to ensure that we get this right and we have everything in place to ensure that the leaders, delegates and ministers have successful meetings and discussions in a safe and secure environment.”

Hawkins said the Asia Pacific Economic Conference summit would be an opportunity for Papua New Guinea to gain experience in current domestic and international issues.