PNG APEC ready: O’Neill

Papua New Guinea is ready to host the APEC 2018 Summit.

When addressing world leaders on Friday in Da Nang city, Vietnam, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says PNG is prepared, with assistance from neighbouring countries like Australia.

He says it will be an honour for PNG to host the international meet since becoming a member of APEC countries in 1993.

In front of over 4,000 journalists and delegates during the APEC Vietnam Summit, O’Neill states PNG is one of the countries in the Pacific that has the largest economy in the region.

He urges leaders to support emerging economies like PNG and the other developing countries.

He says one of the advantages of hosting APEC is the provision of employment opportunities in the country.

“APEC is a forum that is very much focused on supporting opportunities for small to medium enterprises.

“Any growth and development of economies in our respective countries must be inclusive so that our people can participate meaningfully.”

O’Neill told the leaders that PNG’s economy was one of the fastest growing economy, with an average of 5-7 percent economic growth for the past 15 years.

“There are good opportunities for many investors to invest in our country.”

He added that PNG is in a very strategic location that is accessible to markets in China, Japan and others.

(File pic)

Author: 
Freddy Mou