PNG eyes trade with West Papua

PAPUA New Guinea is eyeing West Papua, in Indonesia, as the country’s next biggest investment spot in terms of trading within the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) countries.
Trade Commerce and Industry Minister Richard Maru said in terms of trade and investment the country had significant opportunities in West Papua.
“I’m really thankful that during MSG meeting last week, through our PM (Peter O’Neill), we have now endorsed that West Papua be part of MSG, subject to conditions.
“West Papua, in terms of its population is bigger than Papua New Guinea. So it’s a huge market for us.
“We are joined by landmass and this is one market that we have never really looked at. At the moment, our people rushed to Batas (Border) every day.
“What we buy from them is estimated about US$15 million a year.
“We’ve been looking at Fiji, Solomons and Vanuatu … West Papua is the most untapped opportunity.
Maru said through West Papua, PNG will be able to go into Indonesia which he said was a strategic move for the country.
“It’s a country which is rich in resources and could become a very big market for us.”