By Marie Kitawa
UPNG JOURNALISM STUDENT
INDONESIAN Government will be assisting Papua New Guinea with an aid funding of K20 million to be used for projects within the country.
This was announced by the Foreign Minister for Indonesia, Retno Marsudi during a bilateral meeting in Bali, Indonesia last Tuesday.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin Tkatchenko who attended the meeting said that this aid component will be geared towards assiting the health sectors in the country.
“They have a submission from us to help Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) in their pathology unit and maternity ward and others,’’ Minister Tkatchenko said.
“The aid component of Indonesia would be assisting PMGH as well as health sectors in other provinces early next year,’’ he said.
Tkatchenko further said Indonesia will also be funding fire engines and other valuable equipment and utilities for Vanimo, West Sepik.
In terms of trade relation, Tkatchenko said there is a draft submission for trade between Indonesia and PNG.
“This submission will be presented to the International Trade and Investment Minister, Hon Richard Maru by the Indonesian Government.”
Meanwhile, both ministers also discussed the invitation by the Prime Minister James Marape to host a bilateral summit next year in Port Moresby.
“They are keen to have that happen in the first quarter of next year and to bring our relationship through diplomatic understanding and many other issues to be discussed at this summit in Port Moresby early next year,’’ Minister Tkatchenko said.
