Non-resource sector

Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey in his budget speech said the growth in the non-resource sector is expected to increase in real terms by 3.5 per cent in 2022.

This is attributed to growth in the AFF sector supported by the strong growth in the BLS sector as the resumption of both the Porgera and Simberi gold mines is anticipated to have spill-over benefits to most of the BLS sectors.

Speaking at the ‘Second European Union – Papua New Guinea Business, Trade and Investment Conference’ on Monday 11 October, stressed on what his province was doing on cocoa production project.

Governor Bird was tasked to highlight projects that are aimed at promoting trade in the non-resource sector in the country.

He took the opportunity to share East Sepik’s cocoa production journey since the beginning of his leadership term.

Treasury Secretary, Dairi Vele, said during the 2017 Leaders Summit that the Government must move its focus to the non-resource sector over the next five years.

“In the early part of your (O’Neill-Dion) administration, you were looking at oil and gas and mining that were providing much of our growth, now it’s come down a little bit and we’re focusing on some of the other non-resource areas.