Special Economic Zone

Projected at over K600 million, ENB Governor and Chairman of Finance in the Provincial Executive Council (PEC), Michael Marum, said the first pillar on ‘Making optimal use of available resources’ will get over K52 million.

“The second pillar of ‘Promoting economic development through primary and secondary processing’ is given just over K40m, while the third pillar on ‘Encouraging community participation and promoting family life’ will get over K30m,” he said on February 6^th.

The visit was upon invitation by Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru, to visit potential rice zones in the country.

The team will be led by the Papua New Guinea Ambassador to the Philippines, Betty Palaso and former Department of Agriculture Secretary of the Philippines, Emmanuel Pinol.

The team will visit Central Province which has been identified by the Government as a potential rice zone.

They will visit Brown River and Gabadi in Kairuku District on Wednesday, and Rigo on Thursday before returning to the Philippines.

They visited several sites including the Sepik Plains Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

Maru said East Sepik is one of the 18 potential SEZ locations identified by the government. It holds one of the largest records in producing leading cash crops in the country with Yangoru-Saussia District being the leading cocoa producing district presently.

Vanimo is one of the 18 identified potential SEZ location in the country. 

The Japan Development Institute team of experts and the International Trade and Investment team arrived in Vanimo yesterday where they were received by Sandaun Governor, Tony Wouwou and the members of the Sandaun Provincial Administration.

The team is in the province as part of their familiarization visits to identified potential Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the country to help formulate Papua New Guinea’s SEZ Masterplan. 

He was speaking during the opening of the multi-million kina Momote airport yesterday.

“Our Government has passed legislation to make Manus a special economic region in the country. Business who will invest in Manus will not pay corporate tax.

“I welcome PNG and International companies into Manus. Set up your businesses and employ our local people,” he added.

The Prime Minister said this will boost economic opportunities for people on the island province. 

“This is a way to make this airport generate more money for the country and locals.”

The improvements are part of the Government’s proposed West Sepik Special Economic Zone.

Developments planned for the border will ensure that major economic investments earmarked for the province are not derailed by border security issues.

National Planning Minister, Richard Maru, and delegates of the fact-finding mission to West Sepik travelled to Wutung to inspect the PNG-Indonesia Border Post on Tuesday.

Accompanying him were Minister for Inter-Government Relations, Kevin Isifu, who is responsible for border issues, and PNGDF Commander, Gilbert Toropo.

Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru, revealed this when he arrived in Vanimo, West Sepik Province, yesterday.

Maru is leading a Government delegation on a fact finding mission to see the development of the SEZ in Sandaun.

Accompanying Minister Maru is Minister for Provincial Affairs, Kevin Isifu, PNGDF Commander, Gilbert Toropo, Secretary Transport, Roy Mumu, Secretary for Provincial Affairs, Dickson Guinea, Water PNG Managing Director, Raka Taviri, and National and Civil Identity Registrar, Michael Kumung.

He is also the chairman of the project steering committee. 

“Any project we will not displace any traditional landowners because the land is very large and does not have people sitting on it,” Andrias said.

He added that the project is a National Government funded project and currently the government is building basic infrastructures like roads and electricity lines to the project site for investor to start its feasibility studies.    

“Basic infrastructures and law and order is a prerequisite for the investor to settle and invest,” Andrias said.