Spain keen to invest in PNG

By JAYNE SAFIHAO
SPAIN’S Sydney-based senior trade commissioner to PNG Cristina Teijelo on Wednesday announced the interest of Spanish investors in the country particularly for the fish, oil and gas industries.
Teijelo, who flew into the country on Monday, was highly impressed with the set-up of the RD Tuna Canners and fishing factory outside Madang town.
This was after a courtesy call to the province, in which Governor James Gau welcomed her with a warning.
“We are glad you chose Madang. This province still has a lot of untapped minerals and gas reserves.
“Madang wants to open its doors to investors but the investors have to communicate clearly to the people in impact areas what its business here is going to be.
“I want to remind you that Papua New Guineans will give you problems, if you exclude them from processes of development, especially over their land,” he said.
Gau explained the current problem with the Chinese developers, Ramu Nico and Pacific Marine Industrial Zone (PMIZ) projects, where unhappy villagers were either suing or seeking legal address.
However, Gau welcomed Spain to “come invest”.
Accompanied by the honorary consul to Spain Camillus Narakobi and another trade’s officer Fernando Honos, the diplomat was surprised that three cities in Spain were some of the main importers of frozen loins supplied by RD Tuna and that the machines in the processing plant were the ‘Hermasa’ brand from Vigo, a state in Spain. 
Roland Salangsang from RD, who showed a video depicting the history of the company and its growth, hinted that it would be practical for any company to occupy one of the portions of the already subdivided land at Vidar to avoid any land-related issues.
“RD Tuna supplies 40% of the domestic market and 60% is exported with the European Union being our biggest importers, which is equivalent to 1,000 containers a year with 60-70 containers of frozen loins a year with a forecasted increase of more than a 100 this year,” he said.
Spain, which is one of the largest consumers and suppliers of fish, has indicated yesterday that it would consider having a property within the PMIZ, after a visit to the RD Fishing site.
Teijelo ended her trip with a dinner meet with Madang Chamber of Commerce executives, where issues on business and the economy were discussed.
Teijelo will spend a few days in Port Moresby before she departs for Sydney, Australia.