PRIME Minister James Marape has highlighted key outcomes of his visit to Palau over the week.
Speaking to the media at APEC Terminal on Friday upon his arrival from Palau, the Prime Minister said essential outcomes of Palau’s visit centered around Regional Fisheries Cooperation, Tourism and Connectivity, cultural and Historical Ties, and Strategic Partnerships for Development that PNG holds with Palau.
PM Marape also spoke on the inauguration of President Surangel Whipps Jr. where he attended with NCD Governor Powes Parkop.
“These relationships are crucial not only for resource sharing but also for fostering economic resilience and regional stability,” PM said.
“Palau may be small in population but its influence in the pacific maritime space is significant and together we are stronger.”
PM Marape announced that there are plans to drive and expand fisheries processing hubs in the country and looking at the wider scope of enhancing value chain in maritime.
With this, he pointed out Manus province as a strategic avenue to set up infrastructures for generating jobs for economy growth.
“Papua New Guinea contributes approximately 17% of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) tuna catch, making us a leading player in this vital industry,” Marape explained.
He also shared that the parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) nations control 25-30% of the World’s tuna supply and 60% of the tuna catch is from the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.
PM Marape’s trip to Palau has open up great discussions and policies that could be adopted as a way of working partnerships with Pacific Island Nations and he commended the support of other Island leaders.
He elaborated that such partnerships enhance greater self-reliance and is a catalyst to shaping a stronger economy for prosperity.
