PM Website

PRIME MINISTER’S MEDIA UNIT

MEDIA RELEASE

Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare returned from Japan yesterday, satisfied with the outcome of the 5th PALM summit between Japan and Pacific Island countries.

“My visit to Japan was quite beneficial for PNG.

“The Japanese government recognises the growing importance of PNG in the region and my meeting with Prime Minister Taro Aso just before the opening of the PALM confirmed this.

“To support our development efforts the Japanese Government extended us a loan of 8.3 billion Yen for the Port Moresby sewage system.

“Prime Minister Aso committed a further assistance of 3 billion Yen for trunk roads on Bougainville. Sir Michael said these were two major undertakings by the Japanese government and he was pleased with what we could achieve.

“We are also encouraged by Japan’s interest in our petroleum and gas sector. I opened an investment seminar full of Japanese business leaders that want to invest in our country and I thank the PNG Investment Promotion Authority for its hard work in showcasing PNG in Japan,” he said.

Sir Michael said the 5th PALM summit was held in Hokkaido under the theme “We are Islanders – Working Towards an Eco-friendly & Rich Pacific.”

“At the conclusion of the summit, the Japanese government committed 50 billion Yen to assist Pacific Island countries over the next three years.

“This is also a substantial commitment and the onus is now on government and other agencies to tap into this assistance facility to benefit our people.

“Equally it is through the hard work of this government that I was also able to officiate at the groundbreaking ceremony for our embassy in Tokyo.

“As a result of good economic management and greater investment promotion the government acquired land on which it will build its embassy in Japan. The Embassy will not only serve the Department of Foreign Affairs but will have rental space available for IPA, TPA and other statutory organisations such as Air Niugini,” he said.

Sir Michael said in the last five months he had undertaken official visits that were deferred in previous years.

“It is regrettable that these important gatherings took place at a time when our Parliament is sitting. However, I feel strongly that before the end of this government’s term in office I want to see investment doubling in our country and that PNG is recognised as a global player in the world.

M T SOMARE
Prime Minister

< Prev		Next >