Private sector’s role recognised: Pruaitch

THE Government said that it will not rest on its laurels but build on past achievements to improve public service delivery.
Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch said that the Government remained committed to supporting the growth and development of the private sector.
This was because the private sector played a significant role in PNG’s development aspirations by creating employment, higher incomes, better living standards and stimulating economic growth.
Mr Pruaitch cited the example of the communication sector where PNG had benefitted greatly from the competition between bemobile and Digicel.
“The competition in the mobile phone sector has resulted in effective telecommunication services nationwide as service coverage is being expanded and prices driven down,” he said.
Mr Pruaitch noted that in the airline industry, a new code-sharing arrangement between Airlines PNG and Pacific Blue Ltd had been conceived as a result of the Government’s commitment to competition.
He said that such initiatives in the private sector would prompt additional income earning opportunities for Papua New Guineans.