Working group to deal with business climate

 A NATIONAL working group (NWG) designed to boost investment climate in Papua New Guinea has been re-invigorated and put to action.

Called the national working group on improving business and investment climate in the country, it targeted the building of cooperation between the public and private sectors.

It was created in 2003 but had been dormant until revived in November  2011.

Composed of industry and business representatives and relevant government agencies, the NWG offered a public-private dialogue mechanism under the prime minister’s office, chaired by Chief Secretary Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc.

On Tuesday, Sir Manasupe stressed the importance of NWGBIC.

He said: “The government is committed to ensuring regular sessions of the national working group so that in partnership with the private sector, we could address constraints to doing business and investing in PNG. 

“We also want to expand the dialogues to the issues on competitiveness and to develop industry-specific actions.”

Sir Manasupe highlighted some of the objectives-outputs of the NWG, which included a proposed increase in export tax on agricultural products, unreliable power supply, high internet rates and land titling issues.