THE Pacific Marine Industrial Zone (PMIZ) project and the East New Britain initiative (ENBi) concept are two separate and distinct initiatives undertaken by the Papua New Guinea (PNG) government.
In a statement, the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) clarified that the PMIZ project remains firmly based in Madang Province and has not been relocated to East New Britain Province.
“The Ministry of International Trade and Investment (MITI) provides policy oversight for PMIZ, which functions as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), while the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is responsible for the project’s operationalization. The PMIZ is a flagship government project aimed at the industrial development of PNG’s offshore fishery resources, and it is managed through a whole-of-government approach under the guidance of a Project Steering Committee (PSC),” the statement read.
“In contrast, the East New Britain initiative (ENBi) is a regional development concept endorsed by Pacific Island Forum (PIF) leaders. The ENBi focuses on regional collaboration to create innovative and inclusive investment pathways, aligning with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. This initiative involves cooperation among all 17 member countries of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), with the goal of supporting a sustainable future for the people of the Pacific.
“The ENBi concept was first established during the Special Forum Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting held in Kokopo in September 2023, which is why it bears the name East New Britain. The initiative envisions broader involvement from PIF member countries as the project progresses.”
The NFA also indicated that once fully implemented, the PMIZ project could potentially be considered as an investment opportunity under the ENBi framework, allowing other FFA member countries to explore potential investments.
