EAST Sepik Governor Hon. Allan Bird when addressing PNG’s struggling economy at the PNG Update, stated that innovative strategies are crucial, with a significant part of the solution lying in increasing investment in the private sector.
Governor Bird noted the need for the government to focus on opportunities in agriculture and local economic development.
“Government tend to forget that the biggest investor you can bring for this case, is the private sector,” Bird said.
“If you know and have the confidence that this county is going the right direction, you will send funds to relatives at home for cocoa to be planted your block”.
He stated that investing in such sectors can generate revenue for the economy. However, he noted that a lack of investment can hinder economic growth.
Governor Bird advocated for a government approach that aligns with development projects and includes regular site visits to monitor progress and ensure effective use of funds.
While stressing that the government allocates budgets for projects and investments, he expressed concern about the lack of continuous monitoring and tracking of expenditure.
He highlighted the importance of building confidence with private sector partners to sustain agreements and achieve shared goals and aspirations.
