OPIC Boss welcomes CPOPC delegates to PNG 

By CHRISTOPHER YANDAWAI

PAPUA New Guinea Oil Palm Industry Corporation (PNG OPIC) General Secretary, Mr. Kepson Pupita, has officially welcomed the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) delegates to Papua New Guinea.

The CPOPC delegates, led by General Secretary Dr. Rizal Affandi Lukman, arrived in Port Moresby from Indonesia yesterday.

The CPOPC team are here to exchange dialogues with PNG government on how best to advance the growth of oil palm industry by working together.

Their visit follows PNG’s recent accession as the fourth member of CPOPC on December 30, 2024, joining Indonesia, Malaysia, and Honduras.

Following their arrival at Jacksons International Airport, the CPOPC team held a luncheon meeting with OPIC and Palm Oil Smallholders at Stanley Hotel, where they were given an official reception by OPIC Boss Mr. Pupita.

“It is with great pride and honor that I welcome you all our esteemed delegation from the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) to Papua New Guinea.

“Your visit is a testament to the partnership between PNG and our fellow palm oil-producing nations, and I look forward to deepening our engagement as we advance the growth of our industry together,” Mr Pupita said.

Oil Palm Minister Hon. Francis Maneke, who joined the luncheon dinner later in the evening after the luncheon meeting, also welcomed the CPOPC Leaders to Papua New Guinea. 

CPOPC General Secretary, Dr. Rizal Affandi Lukman thanked Mr. Pupita, Minister Maneke and the Government of Papua New Guinea for welcoming his team to Papua New Guinea.

He also congratulated Papua New Guinea for successfully becoming full-pledged member country of the Council of Oil Palm Producing Countries.

Dr. Lukman expressed CPOPC’s commitment in ensuring palm oil industry in PNG gets necessary operational and technical support through collaborative efforts from all CPOPC member countries.

The CPOPC Leaders also met with Prime Minister James Marape and Minister Maneke earlier today, discussing pathways to drive the PNG Oil Palm industry going forward.

They are also scheduled to visit key oil palm sites throughout the country starting tomorrow (February 20) before they depart Papua New Guinea for Singapore on Saturday February 22.