Successful high-level dialogue leads to policy action, and that leads to business stimulation and job creation, says Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
The PM’s statement follows the conclusion of a series of engagements at the World Economic Forum last week in Davos, Switzerland.
O’Neill said he is satisfied with discussions at the World Economic Forum where political leaders from a diverse range of countries met with development finance and non-government organisation executives to work to ensure economic development increases and is inclusive.
“We have met with leading global figures involved with the financing of development projects, including banks and capital markets.
"The meeting involved discussion with former United States vice president, Al Gore, and senior ministers from Indonesia, Denmark, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Guatemala,” stated the PM.
“Papua New Guinea will continue to engage with partners through the World Economic Forum, particularly during 2018 as APEC Chair, to drive inclusive economic expansion.
“As our economies expand, and as businesses grow, we must ensure that development is experienced by all people in our country and around the region, particularly in remote and rural areas.”
Increasing engagement across the Pacific Ocean was central to discussion with the Pacific Alliance of Latin American economies that is now growing to include Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore.
“Trade and investment today takes place across a broad area, and APEC is already home to more than half of the world’s trade and GDP.
"The Asia-Pacific is the engine room for global economic growth and we have to embrace the opportunities before us.
“Asian and Pacific Island economies have great opportunity to increase trade and investment across the Pacific with the Latin American economies of the Pacific Alliance.”
PM O’Neill said globalisation is a reality, and Papua New Guinea will take advantage of the opportunities that are evolving through the global economy.
“Having closed economies has never been good for any country,” the Prime Minister said.
“History shows that countries that have not opened up to free trade and investment have suffered as a result of the opportunities they have missed.
“APEC has seen much higher growth than non-APEC members and we must continue to drive and advance our economies.”
(Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and former United States Vice President, Al Gore, speak at an MSNBC Television Panel on Climate Change)
