PRIME Minister Hon. James Marape and his ministers of State met on Tuesday with a business delegation from the United States of America led by US Ambassador
to Papua New Guinea, Her Excellency Ann Marie Yastishock.
The delegation is headed by Sarah Morgenthau, Special Representative from the Office of Commerce and Business Affairs of the US State Department’s Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs; and comprised 16 members from the US government and private sector.
The group is in Papua New Guinea to explore and discuss business opportunities between United States and PNG in line with the agenda pushed by Prime Minister Marape to US President Joe Biden’s administration over the recent years to have more American presence in the Pacific, including Papua New Guinea, and to elevate Pacific nations’ relationship with the US from reliance on aid and grants to proper engagement in trade and commerce.
Prime Minister Marape, in welcoming the group to Melanesia Haus and PNG at the meeting, noted the members’ representation of the various sectors in the United States public sector and business community, covering education, defence, mining, business, security and several others; and thanked Ambassador Yastishock for her efforts in facilitating the meeting.
He acknowledged the increased dialogue between PNG and USA through joint forums held by Pacific Island leaders with the United States under the Biden administration, and said he was looking forward to seeing similar exchanges and level of engagement with the Trump government.
The Prime Minister then continued his advocacy on Papua New Guinea as an ideal investment destination, highlighting its robust democracy and free market economy, its strategic geographical location between the Asia and Pacific regions, and its potential in offering Green Energy as a mitigation strategy to address the current climate crisis.
“Papua New Guinea and the United States of America share the same ideals.
“For us here in the Pacific, Papua New Guinea has a unique role in that we join Asia to the Pacific by land. We value our democracy and our free market economy, and we are situated close to the big markets of Asia. Our potential in the Green Energy space is big with a lot of solar, geothermal and hydro sources available in our country.
“We are currently addressing our challenges, including our Law & Justice sector. Under the Bilateral Security Agreement with Australia, we are reforming and enhancing our policing in the country and region.
“I encourage United States to do business with us,” said Prime Minister Marape, while pointing out the government’s initiative, Special Economic Zone, which he offered to the United States business representatives to utilise in their business endeavours.
Ministers who accompanied the Prime Minister at the meeting included Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko; Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Jelta Wong; Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture, Hon. Belden Namah; and Minister for Commerce & Industry, Hon. Win Daki.
