The Government will be opening the Wutung-Skouw Border Post opening at the border of PNG and Indonesia in the near future.
Vice Minister for Inter Government Relations Joe Sungi revealed this at the 33rd Joint Border Committee between the PNG and Indonesia recently in Port Moresby.
Sungi told the delegation that the opening cannot be prolonged or deferred as it is one of the most significant investment that the two countries have chosen since the beginning of their diplomatic relations.
He said the border post will provide great benefits for both countries in terms of trade, commerce, investments and exchange of social and cultural activities between the border provinces and the two countries.
“A fully operational Wutung-skouw Border Post would act as catalyst for future expansion and development of Border Post along strategic locations of our common border and give confidence to both governments that investment in developing Joint Border Post and road links that can contribute positively towards improving economic and social prosperity for our border inhabitants.”
Sungi further emphasised that Papua New Guinea is pleased with the Basic Border Agreement and the traditional and customary border crossing arrangements, as they serve the basis of our relations.
“They have provided the basic guidelines in which our countries are conducting our bilateral border relations.”
The meeting of the Joint Border Committee is an annual event that brings two government together to discuss, analyse, evaluate and find Solutions to problems and Issues confronting our people living at the border including the orderly administration of our common land border.
The forum had its virtue and purpose effectively developed since its inception and establishment more than 30 years ago.