Prime Minister Peter O'Neill appreciates China's Aid to Papua New Guinea

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has commended China for the numerous development aid the people of China had offered to PNG over the years.

In his speech this morning during the hand-over ceremony of the China Aid road project, which is now the Independence Boulevard, PM O’Neill said PNG values the strong support from the Chinese Government towards development in the country.

“We value the strong support from the Chinese government and the President Xi Jinping himself for the continued support towards Papua New Guinea in development,” O’Neill said.

He added that the Independence Boulevard marks another historical event in the long relationship between PNG and China.

He said that Papua New Guinea is a very rural country with a big rural population and a small economy.

The strong partnership that PNG has with the Chinese government will enhance the growth of development and the economy of PNG.

PM O’Neill said thanked the people of China, adding that China and Papua New Guinea’s bilateral relationship began 1976 right after the country’s independence and maintained thus far.

The Independence Boulevard is one of the donations from the people of China to PNG. It was built by the China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (Chec).

Press Release - APEC.

Australian Prime Minister Hon. Scott Morrison Encourages Trade for Economic growth within APEC

The Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison, emphasized on free trade and how togetherness is essential for economic growth in his address today at the CEO summit.

Morrison said Papua New Guinea has become family to Australia over the past years and the APEC event gives all other economies the opportunity to honour and recognize the theme in APEC, the Pacific and the Pacific economy.

“Now I’ve already made clear to the Prime Minister (Peter O’Neill) that Australia is stepping up, we will step up as part of our step up initiative in the Pacific and we will take our engagement to a new level.”

Morrison added that some principles mentioned by former Australian Prime Minister John Howard for economic growth are still relevant today

Mr Howard mentioned three conditions for economic growth which include responsible, domestic to economic management, market access for exports and tackling infrastructure constraints.

“You know no country gets rich selling things to itself, that’s why APEC encourages trade and by taking practical steps on the things that matter to business,” Mr Howard said.

He further emphasized on connectivity and the digital economy for sustainable development and also said practical engagement is vital for economic growth and progress.

“The test for us all now is to stand up for the economic value we believe in and show how they work to demonstrate how they live with these standards and have lifted thousands of people out of poverty.

“And to show to all the other economies what happens when you work together with partnership that you create jobs ,prosperity and a more safe, secure and peaceful region.”

Meantime, Morrison reiterated that Free trade is essential for any economy and Australia’s commitment towards it is consistent despite the many challenges it may come with.

Press Release - APEC.

Developed nations urged to support developing nations - APEC member countries told

ASIA Pacific region has some of the most dynamic and promising economies.That’s according to President of the Peoples Republic of China, Xi Jinping during his address at the APEC CEO summit.

He said the APEC region is currently recognised the key vehical for global economic growth. President Xi said that economies in the Asia-Pacific region have a promising future if guided by right polices.

“The way forward in this era is to promote multilateral trading systems which will create great opportunities for all countries,” he said.

“With links in the global chain of cooperation, developed nations must help developing countries eliminate poverty,” he said.

President Xi said in-order for countries to achieve global economic development, developed nations must support developing nations through continued assistance in their development models.

“We should not expect one development model to fit all countries or copy the development model of other countries,” he said.

He explained that developing economies must have their own say on how they want to develop, or which development model suits their country’s need.

“Developing countries must have more say on their development path of choice” he said.

He concluded by expressing his concern for economies around the world to uphold the 2030 sustainable development goals (SDG) through embedding it in their national development strategies.

Press Release - APEC

PNG's creative industry highly innovative, revealed during APEC meet in Port Moresby

Australian High Commission Counsellor Economics, Dr. Chakriya Bowman, describe creative industries in Papua New Guinea as highly innovative.

Australian High Commission Counsellor Economics, Doctor Chakriya Bowman, describe creative industries in Papua New Guinea as highly innovative.

Dr Bowman made the remark during the launching of Real Impact’s digital market platform for Papua New Guinean SMEs under the creative industry to be able in selling their products to local and international buyers.

“One of the things I love about this project is the innovation in the creative industries with the women and men at the grassroots who are doing their traditional crafts but in a really exciting and innovative way to showcase their spectacular knowledge and tradition of Papua New Guinea to the world.”

She said the creative industry was new and needed support from the right partners, adding that the partnership between Real Impact and Papua New Guinea’s creative industry would provide ease in marketing their products and allow entrepreneurs to experience a boost in growth.

“It’s a really new industry, it’s something that hasn’t the right partners with and are essential too, and so it’s been really exciting to partner with Real Impact. This is just a really lovely compliment to build the momentum and to take the crafts of Papua New Guinea to the international market.”

Since the establishment of the partnership between Real Impact and the creative industry twelve months ago, numerous arts and crafts of Papua New Guinea have been sold to high-end vendors overseas.

Ms Bowman said this was the first time handcrafts were turned into highly valued home items.

“We’ve been working on this for probably about twelve months now. Real Impact is the right partners for us, and they’ve been able to take these beautiful products and lead them to some high-end retailers in the United States and Australia. This is the first-time that we’ve really taken these handcrafts and turned them into high-valued products which are now internationally demanded in designer homewares,” she said.

The partnership between Real Impact and the country’s creative industry is expected to continue on with collaborations between Australian international designers and highly skilled artisans in Papua New Guinea.

Press Release - APEC

New technology also bad for economic growth, APEC member countries told

A common challenge affecting the steady growth of economies in this era is the transition from old to new technology, which is causing disruptions to steady economic growth in any sector of an economy.

Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Bin Mohamad, stressed this during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEOs’ summit.

He said countries in the region need to adjust their strategies and practices so that they are able to deal with radical technological changes in their work and business environments.

He described technological disruptions as, the digitalization of the working environment, increase in robotics and artificial intelligence, data analytics and the advent of other technologies that affect the way people do business normally.

He also added that his country is a great example, where there is a decrease in the physical interaction of humans in the traditional way of doing business transactions, such as the taxi service and retailing.

“Businesses are losing clients to online retailers who market their products through digital apps, which are downloaded on smart phones,” he said.

“We can expect more disruption ahead when we become more automated, where skilled and unskilled workers will become less important and irrelevant in the work force,” he added.

The Prime Minister further said that if this issue is not addressed quickly with a proper solution, it can lead to high unemployment in the different sectors of an economy.

He concluded by challenging policy makers and the leaders of the different economies to accommodate everyone’s needs and ensure that no one is left behind during this age of technological disruption.

Press Release - APEC

PNG Govt wants all APEC assets to be returned to the State after use for APEC 2018 in Port Moresby

ALL Apec assets in the custody of individuals and parties must be returned to the Finance Department, says Secretary Dr Ken Ngangan.

The assets include laptops, phones, cars, vehicles, plants and equipment and devices such as hardware and software used during the Apec summits in Port Moresby last month.
In a newspaper advertisement yesterday, the acting chairman of the Central Supply and Tenders Board said it was illegal to be in possession of those items.

“The assets acquired by the State and donated by the international partners, NGOs and corporate entities for the purpose of the event belong to the State. The Apec event has ended and they have to be returned,” Ngangan said.
The notice was issued to the general public and short-term employees, contractors, service providers, individuals, joint security taskforce and citizens engaged by the State and the Apec authority.

He said the Apce authority was taking stock of the assets before they were disposed of.
“This was in accordance with the Public Finance Management (amendment) Act 2016. The State would apply the full force of the law to those who do not release the assets,” he said.
He also asked donor partners to submit a full list of what they gave to the event.
Apec Minister Justin Tkatchenko said a full report on all assets purchased, acquired and donated to the Apec Coordination Authority would be made known to the public by the end of this month.

Tkatchenko was speaking in response to questions by The National regarding the progress made to recoup all assets owned by the authority and the process of disposing them through public tender.
The future of those employed by the authority will also have to be decided.

Source: The National newspaper

APEC discussions enable Papua New Guineans to take part in Global Issues

The APEC discussion series was a highlight, enabling Papua New Guineans to take part in APEC by interacting with government, business leaders and international and local experts bringing important discussions from the APEC meeting rooms to the public.

The importance of the initiative has been recognized by other APEC nations and will now be replicated by next year’s APEC host, Chile.

The discussion series events structure included two parts; a keynote address by an international expert or a PNG leader followed by an expert panel discussion with audience participation.

Australian High Commissioner to PNG Bruce Davis said this was the first time APEC had brought important discussions from closed meeting rooms out into the wider public.
“By bringing together leading Papua New Guinean and international experts, the discussion series ensured strong attendance, with enthusiastic audience participation leading to lively discussions,” he said.

The discussion series covered a diverse range of topics including trade, agriculture, health, mining, women in leadership, small and medium enterprise, financial integration and digital economy.

More than 3,500 people attended, listened and engaged with 40 local and international experts at the University of Papua New Guinea’s new lecture theater in Port Moresby and at the University of Technology in Lae. The events were also recorded and broadcast on NBC television and radio, reaching four million Papua New Guineans.

Teachers also commended the Australian government for their support, resources, time and effort to strengthen the PNG education system and other priority areas.
The new lecture theater at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) was constructed with assistance from the Australian Government. UPNG is a core partner of the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct and is the historic home for discussions on topics of national importance.

The university is also the home of the new school of business and public policy, which was opened by the prime ministers of Australia and PNG during APEC Leaders’ Week.
The Discussion Series will continue throughout 2019 and will provide the public with access to experts, leaders, new ideas and a place for discussion on issues of national importance.
Government leaders from PNG who attended the discussion series events included Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Charles Abel, Health Minister Sir Puka Temu, Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato and Secretary for Education Dr Uke Kombra.

Australian government speakers included Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Mark Coulton, Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance Zed Seselja, APEC Ambassador Simon Newnham and Ambassador for Women and Girls Dr Sharman Stone.
A number of significant international experts also presented in 2018, including 

representatives from the World Health Organisation, the APEC Secretariat, the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank and Grow Asia.

 Source: Post Courier newspaper