APEC

1RPIR holds Communications training

The training practical carried out today is part and parcel of the battalion preparing for their security operations come the main leaders week for APEC this November.

The communication display for senior officers was part of the culmination of a weeklong Command, Control, Communications and Coordination or C4 training.

The exercise consisted of three posts set up around the barracks, with one main communication center coordinating communication drills over the radio.

Over 200 delegates in Food Security Week

The Food Security Week, which includes a number of agriculture and food security meetings and exhibitions, is a significant event to promote and create awareness on the importance of food security and how the economies can work together to deal with food security concerns and issues and all related factors such as climate change.

Minister for Agriculture, Benny Allan, was impressed with the level of participation and exhibitions by various groups, including SMEs, agricultural companies, agricultural industries, commodity boards and agencies, institutions and farmers.

Invest more in our people: Yama

Madang Governor Peter Yama is confident that sharing of resources among the APEC economies will benefit everyone in the APEC region.

Yama, who hosted a gala dinner for the APEC Senior Finance Officials delegates recently at the Madang Resort, raised this concern.

Governor Yama told APEC delegates that foreign direct investments must be encouraged in APEC economies as it provides funds to economies, supports infrastructure programs and creates job opportunities.

Upgrading troops’ skills

Speaking at the recent graduation of Military Police personnel in Port Moresby, the MP Director, Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Timo, spoke about how the training will go a long way to help upskill the troops.

The Director spoke about how the training given to his personnel was vital in terms of the skills imparted as well as the good public relations that it would create.

He also highlighted that with the world leaders that will be coming in, the training will be good to help them deliver and give confidence to the leaders.

Economic growth in APEC region: Analysis

According to the latest APEC Regional Trends Analysis, APEC economies continue to strengthen but their growth and more equitable distribution of the benefits hinge on the fate of market openness and integration in the Asia-Pacific.

Director of the APEC Policy Support Unit on the trade and inclusive policy outlook for PNG and the broader region, Dr Dennis Hew, revealed that APEC GDP growth surged to 4.1 percent in 2017 from 3.4 percent in 2016.

However, he said high growth is expected to be maintained in 2018 and 2019.

Inclusive growth among APEC economies

Chairman Dr Osbourne Sanida simplified this by saying it is about how more and more people can be engaged in the production of goods and services for economic growth.

Dr Sanida, when addressing the delegates, called for team work from all APEC economies as ‘no economy is an island’.

He said all economies are connected and through digital innovations, we can achieve inclusive economic growth in the region.

“When talking about connectivity we must note that Papua New Guinea, as with any other APEC economy, is not an island.

APEC security bill amended

Among the concerns the amendment addresses include pre-authorisation allowing for foreign safety and security personnel to deal with an imminent threat and privileges and immunities to carry out lawful orders.

Amendments to the APEC Safety & Security Bill were tabled in Parliament by Minister for APEC, Justin Tkatchenko, for the second reading and final reading.

PNG delegation visits U.S. Coast Guard in Guam

The visit to Guam was a result of the U.S.-PNG partnership supporting preparations for this year’s APEC summit. The PNG delegation included Sylvester Adema from the Department of Transport, Sebastian Marru from PNG Defence Force (Navy), and Ben Kerri SAR controller at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center.

1000 delegates to attend SOM2 Summit

SOM2 will involve a series of high level meetings to discuss, plan and implement initiatives aimed at enabling people participation in the region’s growing economy; improving and strengthening trade relations; and addressing challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region.

PNG learning from APEC economies

Clarence Hoot, from the Investment Promotion Authority as the host economy Assistant Convener, said Investments attraction, facilitation and retention were among key topics on investment policy covered during the Investment Expects’ Group (IEG) meeting in Port Moresby recently.

He said the meeting touched on areas closely linked to the private sector.

“Most of the issues addressed here are directly to the private sector so at times you’ll find member of the Asia Pacific Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council (ABAC) also sit-in our meeting.”

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