Get behind Govt: Marape

Prime Minister James Marape has admitted that huge challenges before us require the effort of everyone; starting from Members of Parliament down to public servants and corporate and private citizens.

PM Marape made these remarks when addressing the nation on Wednesday night.

Recently elected as the 8th Prime Minister on the floor of Parliament, Tari-Pori MP James Marape says everyone must get behind the government and address the challenges ahead.

“We are a nation of many opportunities. We have natural assets that not too many countries, globally speaking, can profess to have. We have oil, gold, gas, nickel, copper and all the agricultural products put together; we have timber and fisheries. These are resources many nations of the world do not have.”

He said he will ensure the environment in which business houses do business is safe, secure and sound so that they can grow in their businesses and pay their fair share of tax to the government.

“This is one area we will be looking at very closely. The area that I will be paying special interest on in a big way is the resource sector. I do not intend to harm our investors. Genuine investors in our country are very, very welcome. They have been with us for a long, long time and without them we will not be where we are as a nation.

“I am speaking very, very strongly to gain more for our country.”

He said his Government will be putting in place some tax incentive regimes that will give tax concessions that are geared towards stimulating economic growth.

“In the 2020 budget, my Government will have a facility to assist Papua New Guinean SMEs and businessmen, who are presently paying taxes, employing other Papua New Guineans, trying to reinvest back into our country. We will put a special economic rescue package for them that is tailored to ensure that they clean up their books and refinance their loans to ensure that they go the next mile.”

Tomorrow (7th June), the Prime Minister will announce his full cabinet, who will be sworn in at Government House.

(Prime Minister James Marape)

Author: 
Freddy Mou