PNG appoints Seline Leo-Lohia as Trade Commissioner to Indonesia to strengthen bilateral economic ties
Prime Minister James Marape has announced the appointment of Seline Leo-Lohia as the new Trade Commissioner of Papua New Guinea to the Republic of Indonesia, following approval by the National Executive Council [NEC].
This strategic appointment marks a substantial move in PNG’s bilateral focus from border and security issues to trade, investment, and economic development.
“Papua New Guinea and Indonesia are close neighbors but are yet to fully explore the possibilities of our cooperation. For the last 49 years our focus has been on border and security talks annually,” Marape said
“These have not led to improvement of our border facilities, direct shipping links, creation of jobs, or significant export between our two countries.
“It is time PNG develops a strong, deep, and robust relationship with Indonesia in realising the potential of both countries in trade and investment, and appointment of Ms. Leo-Lohia is the start of the shift in focus to the commercial dimension of our relationship with Indonesia."
Ms. Leo-Lohia’s role will be pivotal in strengthening private sector engagement between the two nations and deepening collaboration through the PNG-Indonesia Business Council.
She will serve as PNG’s direct link to Indonesian businesses, investors, and economic institutions.
The Prime Minister highlighted Indonesia’s impressive economic trajectory, noting its transformation into the largest economy in Southeast Asia and the seventh-largest globally by purchasing power parity.
“The country’s transition from primary production to tertiary production is also aided by the establishment of economic zones," Marap said.
“Indonesia now has 118 Industrial Parks, 15 SEZs, 4 Free Trade Zones and 10 Tourism Zones and these economic zones contributed significantly to the government’s policy on downstream processing and value addition of its natural resources.
“The nickel SEZ alone created 80,000 jobs and 12,000 indirect jobs at Weda Bay. Only one SEZ created more jobs than the jobs created by entire PNG mining and petroleum industry”
He added, “PNG possesses immense potential across mining, petroleum, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and services.
The PM said Indonesia stands as a proven model of how to translate natural resources into broad-based economic growth through downstream processing and value addition.
“They are willing to share this expertise, and we must be ready to learn and collaborate.”
With this appointment, PNG aims to attract serious Indonesian investment and learn from its closest neighbour’s success in industrialisation, job creation, and technological advancement.