By GINNAH MINI
JAPANESE and Papua New Guinean businesses have renewed efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties between the two countries following a PNG-Japan Business Exchange Meeting in Port Moresby yesterday.
Hosted by the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA), Pacific Islands Centre (PIC) and the PNG Embassy in Tokyo at the Sheraton Hotel, the meeting brought together Japanese companies, government agencies, State-owned enterprises and private sector representatives to explore business opportunities and promote economic cooperation.
Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador of Japan to PNG, His Excellency Hisanobu Mochizuki said that Japan’s goal was not only to increase trade and investment, but to also build long-term partnerships that create jobs, develop skills, promote technology, and contribute to the sustainable development of PNG.
“I hope that we can look beyond our existing areas of cooperation and identify new opportunities in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, digital transformation, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, petroleum, and other relevant sectors that can contribute to PNG’s sustainable economic development,” Mr. Mochizuki said.
Mr. Mochizuki encouraged Japanese companies to continue to explore opportunities in PNG whilst also expecting PNG to reciprocate the same commitment in order to build long-term partnerships.
“Through continued dialogue and cooperation, we can address practical challenges and create an environment where businesses from both countries can work with confidence,” he said.
Secretary for Department of International Trade and Investment, Jacinta Manua said that PNG and Japan share a partnership built on more that five decades of friendship, trust, and beneficial economic cooperation.“As we arrive at 50 years of diplomatic relations, we have a unique opportunity to deepen business-to-business partnerships, encourage greater investment flows, and build resilient supply chains that benefit both our nations,” Mrs. Manua said.
Mrs. Manua commended the business exchange meeting and called on relevant stakeholders to work together in addressing business obstacles and create opportunities for new businesses, trade and investment to flourish.