Maru calls for overhaul of outdated trade systems to boost PNG’s Economy

Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru says Papua New Guinea must urgently improve its trade systems to benefit from growing business opportunities in the coming years.

He said that while the economic outlook is promising, PNG continues to rely on outdated, manual systems that make doing business costly and inefficient.

Maru made these remarks at the Customs Business Consultative Forum in Lae this week.

According to the World Bank’s 2023 Ease of Doing Business Index, PNG ranks 120 out of 190 economies, highlighting the need for major reforms in how trade is managed.

He said the low ranking shows the reality of PNG’s inefficient trade processes, where these outdated systems are causing delays and raising costs, making it harder for businesses and investors.

He added that traders often face challenges from multiple regulatory requirements spread across different locations, stressing the need for a modern, streamlined system to reduce trade barriers and encourage more investment into the country.

"The Marape Government wants to improve our business process to compete with the rest of the world using technology rather than our manual systems. We have decided this year that we will commence the acquisition process to acquire an electronic Single Window System.

"Our government will invest K20 million to acquire and implement this system to increase efficiency and to make us competitive. Work starts this year and PNG Customs Services will be the lead agency,” Maru said.

The electronic Single Window System is a trade facilitation concept that allows an international trader to submit required trade information to a single agency using a web-based digital automated portal, rather than having to deal with multiple agencies in multiple locations to obtain necessary papers, permits, and clearance to complete import or export processes.