Prime Minister Peter O'Neill arrived at 12pm in Madang to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony for a major fish canneries project.
He was accompanied by Works Minister Francis Awesa and State Enterprises Minister Ben Micah who were on board the government owned Falcon jet.
The prime minister will officially open the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone at Vidar.
The project will provide a major boost to the local economy, but has been subjected to protests and a court challenge.