Richard Maru

His call comes in the wake of a revelation from two Fijians who recently attended the 14th World Indigenous Business Forum in Port Moresby, where they highlighted the growing demand for kava in the Pacific region, surpassing its supply.

Kava, traditionally consumed as a beverage, has evolved into a source of livelihood for thousands of smallholder farmers and a lucrative business, particularly in the pharmaceutical and social sectors.

Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru in closing the Forum last week said it is time the Government recognize the need for PNG indigenous businesses and supported as a unit.

Minister Maru stated: “There are so many Papua New Guinean indigenous entrepreneurs who have done so much without Government support. This Forum allowed them to come and display their products and many of us were really inspired. I am so impressed of the energy and the drive of our people. They did not wait for the Government; they did what they had to do.”

When presenting at the 4^th EU- PNG Business, Trade and Investment forum today, Minister Maru commended the team responsible for organizing the conference which he said was important.

He praised the EU market, where Papua New Guinea annually exports up to 950 million US dollars and imports 100 million US dollars, creating a trade surplus.

This was the message relayed by the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru, during day two of the inaugural Papua New Guinea – Asia Investment Conference in Hong Kong.

Sessions 1-4 concluded yesterday in day one of the conference, with Prime Minister James Marape welcoming investors to PNG before departing for Beijing, China.

Minister Maru, who was instrumental in the hosting of this conference in Asia, headlined session five with the topic: “PNG ready for investment”.

Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru, this week announced this crucial development on the eve of Prime Minister James Marape's scheduled state visit to China next week for the Belt and Road Summit in Beijing.

The initiation of this joint feasibility study follows an agreement reached between Prime Minister Marape and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the state visit in 2021.

This decision comes after careful scrutiny, with the regulator expressing satisfaction that all stipulated requirements have been met.

Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru, announced the breakthrough, highlighting that a comprehensive Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been formalized between the merging entities.

Minister Maru extended gratitude on behalf of the Government to Newmont Corporation for choosing to invest in Papua New Guinea.

Of the 24 people, one was an escapee and 23 were suspects who were involved in the clash with police, during June of this year.

The villagers through the ceremony apologise to the police and the district for the law and order issue they have caused leading up to the gun battle between police and the villagers, resulting in the death of a youth and five wounded.  

Ambassador of Vietnam to Papua New Guinea (PNG), His Excellency Nguyen Tat Thah in his meeting with the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru on Friday August 25, said Vietnam was keen on Trade and Investment with Papua New Guinea (PNG).  

Vietnam currently has a population of over 98 million with an economy size of about USD449 billion with the service sector accounting for 41.3 per cent of the GDP.

"We have a police operation that is on because of killings and lawlessness in the district. Mobile Squad 15 (MS15) where brought over from Wau-Bulolo in Morobe and they are now in the district. So far, they are doing a very good job. Crime has gone down because of their presence. I want to thank MS15 and the Police Commissioner for approving their coming. 

Maru says the Yangoru-Saussia DDA will cooperate with them and support them in every way they can to make sure the operation continues. 

Yangoru-Saussia MP Richard Maru said this was the result of Yangoru Saussia Development Authority’s investment in education in the last 10 years and now into the 11th year under their policy of ‘God First and Education Second’.

“It has always been my vision since I became the Member of Yangoru-Saussia for my district to be number one and have the most educated population in the East Sepik Province. As a result of our policy of ‘God First and Education Second’ Yangoru-Saussia DDA has invested nearly K40 million in education alone in the last ten years from our DSIP,” said Maru.