PNG commits to free trade in Asia Pacific

Papua New Guinea is committed to free trade in the Asia Pacific Region says Trade Minister Richard Maru.

“Papua New Guinea reaffirms its commitment to the Bogor Goals,” Maru said ina  statement to the APEC ministerial meeting on regional trade and connectivity .  

The Bogar Goals was a resolution passed in 1994 when Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation members met at the Indonesian city of Bogor.

 The goal called for free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region, better known as the Bogor Goals, which have since remained the inspirational strength behind APEC's agenda.

Maru added that the government supports the agenda to implement the Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) because of its importance to the country.

“MSMEs have the potential to create much needed employment for the fast growing population and contribute to its economic development.

“In PNG, this medium size enterprise is missing or is very small. We have a large informal or micro enterprise sector and a significant presence of large foreign, resource base, import depended corporation.”

Author: 
Charles Yapumi