Two more mobile phone companies are coming to Papua New Guinea, says Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry Richard Maru.
However, he did not name the companies and when they will be in the country.
In a media conference today, Maru revealed the news after returning from a two week Trade and Investment mission to Europe with Secretary John Andrias.
Apart from attending the inaugural PNG-United Kingdom (UK) Trade and Investment Forum in London on June 16, they went on to Brussels with Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and met investors in Brussels, Poland and Switzerland.
They held high level trade and investment meetings with the Trade Minister of Poland, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva and the Commissioner of Trade of the European Union, Cecilia Malmstorm.
Maru also attended the ACP Trade Ministers meeting in Brussels which was attended by Trade Ministers of all the ACP member countries.
“We met with quite an extensive and interesting range of potential investors who want to invest in new frontier investment opportunities in Papua New Guinea. We also met with the European Investment Bank and made a strong case and representation for them to open up an office in Papua New Guinea as soon as practical,’’ Maru said.
“The vibes are very positive. Investors who have so far expressed interest include banks, airlines, a gold and copper refinery, a chocolate factory, a low cost housing company, water treatment, a hotel group and energy companies and much more. There is a real appetite for investment in Papua New Guinea,’’ he said.
"Our challenge is to market the investment opportunities in PNG to companies and the governments of the 27 strong EU Member states by strengthening our presence and visibility in Europe.
“The appointment of an Ambassador to Switzerland with accreditation to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and ILO and a Chancery in France as announced by the Prime Minister”.