THE Ministry of International Trade and Investment has requested the Department of Works and Highways (DoWH) to set up a Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Building Board for the country.
Minister, Richard Maru, said all SEZs around the world had their own Building Boards to fast-track building permit approvals as part of the one-stop-shop concept for SEZs.
“We cannot be awaiting approvals for over six months or a year as is the case in Papua New Guinea (PNG) today. We must compete with international competitors and other countries to secure investors. The SEZ Legislation allows us to have such a Board give permits within the SEZs,” he said.
The Minister requested the DoWH to establish this Board as a matter of priority with the Secretary for DoWH as the Chairman. He was very specific that the Board had to be made up of highly technical and competent people with relevant skills.
“A Board of seven (7) members, including the chairman, would be ideal. Their primary role is to consider building board approvals in all SEZs in the country. It is very important that we do not compromise building board standards in any way, shape or form,” said Minister Maru.