Prime Minister James Marape has commended Samarai-Murua District in Milne Bay Province for its fish export joint-venture with Thai company, Pornupphan 2018 Co. Limited, which is now supplying fish and other marine products on the international market.
The joint-venture is between the district’s fishing business, Kekeisi Limited and the company from Thailand, which launched its first fish export at the ARGO (TWL) Wharf in downtown Port Moresby aboard the fishing vessel FV Kekeisi, in the presence of 27 crew members. Of these, 17 are young Papua New Guineans and 10 are Thailand nationals.
The export is expected to earn approximately USD 107,000 for the district and its shareholders. From the sales, Pornupphan 2018 Co. Limited gets 49 percent while the district gets 51 percent. From the local portion of 51 percent sales for Samarai-Murua, 51 percent goes to former Misima Mine Workers Union and the remaining 49 percent goes to the District Investment Company, Kubwuana Limited.
PM Marape said such business ventures will create more jobs and improve the lives of fishing communities in coastal areas and maritime districts like Samarai-Murua and other districts in the province.
“I am pleased to formally launch and officiate at the first fisheries export by the Samarai-Murua District’s fishing business company Kekeisi Limited. This milestone reflects a practical and forward-looking partnership between the district and an international fishing company, delivering real economic benefits to our people at the village level. This initiative complements my government’s policy direction to promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), create employment, stimulate local economic activity, and ensure that money circulates within communities. It demonstrates how districts can utilize their natural resources responsibly and productively for the maximum benefit of families who own those resources,” Mr Marape said.
He commended the Samarai-Murua MP Isi Henry Leonard, for providing leadership that focuses on inclusive development. He said this project is designed to benefit many— local fishermen, women, and young people by enabling them to fish and sell their catch through a structured and sustainable commercial arrangement.
The fishing project is funded through the District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) allocated by the Marape-Rosso Government. It is overseen by Kekeisi Investment Limited (KIL), the business arm of the District Development Authority, which was incorporated in 2024 under the Companies Act and registered as a formal fishing business entity. It has entered into a fishing business agreement with Thailand’s Pornnupphan 2018 Co. Ltd to support commercial fishing and export operations. Fifty-one percent (51%) of the shares are owned by the Associations of the former Misima Mining Workers Union, while the remaining forty-nine percent (49%) is owned by the Samarai-Murua District Development Authority.
PM Marape said this partnership enables skills transfer, compliance with international standards, and access to export markets.
Mr Marape said: “I congratulate the Member for Samarai-Murua Open and reaffirm that my government will continue to support this program, including an allocation of an additional K5 million next year to further strengthen and expand the initiative.”