Trip focuses on growth

Business

PRIME Minister James Marape is visiting the Highlands with officials from the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC), looking for ways to bolster agricultural development and access to markets and services.
The World Bank group in PNG came up with a strategy on diversifying the country’s economy from its reliance on extractives by spurring private sector growth and improving people’s access to basic services, particularly for the rural population. “The World Bank and IFC continue to support PNG with many projects in sectors such as agriculture and road transport,” Marape said.
“This has been a valuable opportunity to discuss Government’s priorities for our partnership.”
World Bank country director for PNG and Pacific Michel Kerf said: “Creating opportunities outside the natural resources sector in PNG is essential to creating income opportunities for the many Papua New Guineans who live in rural areas like the Highlands.
“With its fertile lands, the Highlands could become the breadbasket for PNG, meeting rising demand in the country for fresh produce and reducing reliance on imports.”
Thomas Jacobs, IFC country manager for PNG and Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, said: “With the right policies in place and bringing in the private sector, PNG could also export more produce overseas, putting more money into the pockets of the country’s farmers. “We’ve already investigated options to improve market access through better transport links between the Highlands and Port Moresby and are looking at potential investment opportunities.”

One thought on “Trip focuses on growth

  • Too late too good, this is a way forward and PM JM will receive 100% support from the people particularly from rural PNG population

Comments are closed.