RH committed to PNG

JULIA DAIA BORE witnesses the grand opening of PNG’s newest state-of-the-art supermarket, ‘Vision City’

THE skyline above the iconic K1 billion landmark and Rimbunan Hijau (RH) investment Mega Mall “Vision City” was magnificently lit-up with sparkling fireworks for about 30 minutes last Friday evening, beginning at 10:20 pm.
The colourful and spectacular firework display heralded RH’s double celebrations, the grand opening of PNG’s newest state-of-the-art supermarket, ‘Vision City’ and RH’s 20th anniversary in PNG.
During their time the Malaysian company has provided employment to 7,500 Papua New Guineans. And with the Vision City’s grand opening there would now be employment positions of 800, said RH’s visiting Executive Chairman and Executive Director Tan Sri Datuk Sir Tiong Hiew King.
It also signified the beginning of the RH Group of Companies’ new corporate venture project into properties, hotelier and hospitality industry which would ultimately employ up to 5,000 Papua new Guineans; by the completion date of RH’s newly planned eighteen-story international hotel.
Once completed it would also house luxurious apartments and office space for rent. This is the next corporate plan of the RH group of companies, announced Sir Tiong announced at last Friday’s opening of the Vision City mega mall.
Earlier in the evening the mega mall was officially opened jointly by acting Prime Minister Sam Abal and Sir Tiong and the mega mall opened its doors to the curious shoppers who began pouring in to shop and see what the new venue offers.
Cars filled the Vision City car park and also lined the Sir John Guise Drive, Waigani Drive and the neighbouring side roads to await the planned fireworks.
Crowds of Port Moresby residents took up vantage positions along the road-sides and hilltops overlooking the RH’s newest mega mall to witness the spectacular fireworks display.
This followed an official dinner for the invited guests who filled to capacity the new restaurant which seats 500 diners.
Invited guests were treated to a sumptuous meal, a 20th birthday (RH in PNG) cake cutting ceremony and a feast of entertainment which included the Caritas Secondary School girls who displayed a colourful traditional PNG dress parade.
Present also to provide entertainment was mainland China’s Guizhou acrobatic team made up of young but talented performers, including an 11-year-old girl Li Ying Ying.
She strutted her acrobatic stunts which included standing on one hand and balancing herself on a tripod stand that amazed the spectating dinners. There was also the hat, and bat juggling young male acrobats, who did this while standing high up on each other’s backs and shoulders.
Earlier in the day they displayed their acrobatic skills to the public in shopping complex’s car park.
The Huli wigmen from Hela province, adorned in their colourful bright red, gold and white facial decorations and neatly patted-in wigs presented themselves as the guard-of-honour for the dignitaries at the Vision City opening.
Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal officiated the grand opening jointly with the Executive Chairman and Executive Director of RH Tan Sri Datuk Sir Tiong Hiew King and Executive Managing Director James Lau, for the PNG’s RH group.
Mr Abal congratulated RH for having faith in the PNG investment climate and being around when other foreign investors did not do so.