Prime Minister James Marape

This was announced by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justin Tkatchenko today before his travel to Indonesia.

Minister is concerned with these outstanding issues and aims to ratify long overdue corporation, agreements and treaties over the next coming months.

“We have officially passed the Reciprocal Visa Arrangements between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia so those that have a Diplomatic Passport or Official Passport can get Visa on arrival here in PNG and also in Indonesia.

Prime Minister Modi will arrive in PNG on May 21, for an official state visit and a Bilateral meeting with Prime Minister, James Marape, and other Pacific Island leaders for the India Summit.

“This is the third summit that is being held with India and we are co-hosting it with India this year. Now this is a historical event, we have never had the Prime minister of one of the biggest leading economies and population come to PNG before, now this shows us that India now wants to play in the region and also with PNG going forward,” said Tkatchenko.

The Gold Bullion Policy is an initiative of the Marape-Rosso Government to ensure our non-renewable and renewable resources are properly harnessed to increase revenue streams to support our national budget, grow our rural economy and improve the quality of life for our people.

The Government requires a vibrant and competitive national gold bullion program to support its macroeconomic and fiscal policy functions which will grow and sustain our economy and create wealth for the nation.

On Sunday, PM Marape offered sympathies to the people of Vanuatu and said Papua New Guinea stands ready to assist its Melanesian brother regain its footing after natural disasters hit the island nation beginning Friday last week.

Upon arrival at the Leon Mba International Airport, he was received by the Prime Minister for Gabon, Alain Claude Bilie By Nze along with a ceremonial Gabonese welcome.

After a brief meeting with his Gabonese counterpart, PM Marape paid a courtesy call on Gabon President, Ali Bongo Ondimba, where they discussed agendas of mutual benefit as well as ways forward on preserving our rainforests.

“I am honoured to be here to attend this auspicious event and participate in it,” Marape said.

He joins other Heads of Governments and Ministers of State of Rainforest Nations in this dialogue from 1^st to 2^nd of March.

“At the Summit, I will deliver a Country Statement and hold bilateral discussions with the Presidents of the Republics of Gabon and France and other leaders on how we can protect and preserve the rainforests of the world in a sustainable manner,” said PM Marape.

He said it is clear that Article 6 of the Paris Agreement has no provision for environment conservation, hence this Summit will address this significant gap area.

Prime Minister James Marape made these remarks when welcoming the Bosavi hostages after they were released to police by their captors in Bosavi in the Nipa Kutubu area of Southern Highlands Province.

“This is the first time this sort of thing has happened and it must be the last time. It must not be repeated. As your Prime Minister, let me tell you today, crime does not pay. I appeal to you to pick up MSME, agriculture, tourism and work to earn your money to make a living.

Bryce Barker, from the University of Southern Queensland and fellow members of his research team Jemina Haro and PhD student Teppsy Beni arrived in Port Moresby this afternoon.

They were taken hostage by armed kidnappers for more than a week while on field work near Mt Bosavi on the border of Hela and Southern Highlands provinces.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape thanked police and defence forces, local leaders and the community for their assistance.

He says under Prime Minister Rabuka, Fiji has afformed the reopening of this office.

“We indicated, offering land and assistance towards building their permanent office here in PNG,” said PM Marape.

He added, “There was a request made for reciprocal give of land, and Prime Minister Rabuka did indicate looking for a land in Suva for a mission to be established there.”

“Those reciprocal commitments were made.”

PM Marape says by mid-year, a Fijians ambassador or high commissioner will take up post in Port Moresby.

Both Leaders acknowledged the importance of advancing the existing areas of bilateral cooperation in trade, labour mobility, climate change, sports; defence cooperation and policing partnerships; and other areas of mutual interest, including the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus agreement.

PM Rabuka further informed of the Fiji government’s intention to review the PACER Plus agreement in close consultation with PNG given both countries’ shared interests under this regional trade arrangement.