PNG set to open 8 Trade Commissions around the world

International Trade and Investment Minister Richard Maru today announced that Papua New Guinea (PNG) will roll out Trade Commission Service this year.

Minister Maru said there will be a total eight Trade Offices in respective countries and each trade office will be represented by a Trade Commissioner.

He said the trade commissioners will play a significant role in communicating with potential investors who will invest in the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and also look into market gap.   

“Honorary Trade Commissioner to Australia and the Philippines which the Prime Minister will be announcing soon. We are now aggressively working towards appointing one in Indonesia and we will also be looking towards appointing Trade Commissioners in other countries around the world.

“We are diversifying our trading partners with the view to securing PNG’s economic future. We are open to recommendation of names from the trade and commerce industry, especially of people that will best serve our country in the area of trade and investment and two-way trade between PNG and various countries.

“Those who will be appointed must be a resident in the countries that we will establish the Trade Commissions,” said Minister Maru.

The primary responsibility of the Trade Commissioners will be to source markets for PNG products, and to promote trade and investment opportunities and especially attract foreign direct investment.

“Without investors from across the world it will be difficult to realize our vision to build a bigger and most sustainable and robust economy as we work towards achieving economic independence by 2032,” Maru added.

He maintains the appointment of Honorary Trade Commissioners will not be politically influenced.