The Papua New Guinea Government plans to have a trade representative located in Jakarta from next year, as it seeks to boost trade and business links with neighbouring Indonesia.

Central Jakarta

The PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) is planning what the government hopes will be a big delegation to accompany Prime Minister Peter O’Neill when he visits Jakarta in mid-June.

 ‘It is the desire of our government to immediately increase business, trade and military relations with Indonesia and we need to use the Prime Minister’s visit to Indonesia to build the initial bridge with Indonesia’s private sector,’ said Richard Maru, Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry.

Maru said the Government will announce during the visit that Air Niugini will commence flights to Indonesia by the middle of this year.

He also said the need for the development of a new international wharf in Wewak next year and the opening of a possible northern shipping route via Indonesia will be high on the agenda.

The IPA is also working with the Manufacturers’ Council of Papua New Guinea and the private sector to hold a trade fair in Honiara in late July.

‘PNG educational institutions, local companies, state enterprises and potential exporters and investors from PNG wanting to export or invest in the Solomon Islands are encouraged to join the trade fair delegation,’ said Maru said.