Trade functions to be moved to department

 FORMAL arrangements have been made to return the country’s trade functions to the Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry.

The trade functions are currently under the Foreign Affairs Department.

Trade, Commerce and Industry Minister Richard Maru told Parliament yesterday that Prime Minister Peter O’Neill wanted to move trade functions back to the Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry.

Maru was responding to queries raised by Northern  Governor Gary Juffa on Papua New Guinea’s current position in trade globally and strategies to develop a trade policy.

He said PNG had improved its trade ties on a global scale establishing trade relations with various growing economies.

“Trade is improving and Papua New Guinea is starting to have a voice in the international arena,” he said.

Maru said there were plans to have a designated trade negotiation function handling all trade matters which government sectors should conduct trade through. 

Addressing issues raised by Maprik MP John Simon on the alleged funding intended for Cooperative Societies and the K10 million given to Women in Business, Maru said the matter had been referred to Task force sweep and appropriate action would be taken.