PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONSIDERED AS AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER FOR JAPAN

Japanese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs meets PM. Photo: PNC

Papua New Guinea is considered the most important development partner for Japan. Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Norio Mitsuya, said this when paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill this morning (19/12/13) at his Parliament office. “Papua New Guinea is the most important partner in the Pacific region for Japan,” Mr Mitsuya said.

He said the Japanese Government is tapping into most of the developments in the country and is keen on working closely with the PNG Government. “Japan will come in a big way in terms of investment in gas, oil, mining, fisheries, tourism and other sectors of the economy. “Currently, Japan is the biggest importer of the LNG gas in the country,” he said.

Mr Mitsuya also relayed the message that the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzō Abe will be visiting PNG next year and the date will be made known once it is finalised.

In response, Prime Minister O’Neill said the PNG Government will continue to support and provide a conducive environment for all Japanese investments and to further protect Japanese citizens living in the country.

Both leaders have recognised the importance of their bilateral relations and are promoting it to enhance further developments in PNG.