O'neill : PNG is ready to welcome Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

PAPUA New Guinea is ready to  welcome the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe next week for a two day visit.

Mr Abe, the leader of the world’s third biggest economy, will be accompanied by more than 150 business and government leaders.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said he is looking forward to have discussions on a number of key issues, including trade, with the Japanese Prime Minister during the visit.

"We are trying to encourage more trade between the two countries. He is leading a large delegation of Japanese leaders," Mr O’Neill said.

"Japan is one of the biggest investors in this country, biggest buyer of our natural resources, we will continue to engaging and strengthening bilateral relations with the Japanese government and Japanese people.

"We look forward to meeting with them on trade and investment and of course we have a relationship with Japan and other Pacific Island countries."

During his visit from the July 10-12, the Japanese Prime Minister will also visit Wewak in East Sepik Province to pay respect to the fallen Japanese soldiers during World War 2.

"We are looking forward to his visit. It is a short visit but one that is significant to the nation," Mr O’Neill said.

"We are hosting the leader of the third biggest economy in the world, one of the leading countries in the APEC and I urge all Papua New Guineans to show him the respect that he deserves and continue to encourage and work with his leadership of the country to encourage more trade and investment."