PNG agree to highten trade with Vanuatu

Monday, 28 October 2024, 3:11 pm

Vanuatu PM Carlot Salwai Tabimasmas (Left) shaking hands with Prime Minister James Marape with the signed agreement after their bilateral meeting in Samoa (PMs Media)

Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu have agreed to build on their current bilateral relationship.

At the margins of the recently completed Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, the prime ministers of the two Melanesian Spearhead Group member states, signed a framework agreement to pursue, develop and implement economic and technical cooperation activities.

Prime Minister James Marape highlighted that the agreement is a milestone for both nation's to foster and depend a long relationship, going back to PNG's military intervention to help Vanuatu gained Independence in 1980.

The scope of the agreement is not limited to agriculture, air services, bilateral trade and investment, climate change and environment, defense and security cooperation, education and human resources development, health and medical services, tourism, and culture.

Notable PNG businesses already operating in Vanuatu, is in the banking and insurance sector.

While many Ni-Vanuatu have in the past and continue today attending higher education qualifications in PNG's universities.

Meanwhile, Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas expressed appreciation to PNG for its assistance in the past, including sending relief aid to Vanuatu after a devastated twin-cyclone last year.