PM O'Neil inspects APEC and National Events venue

The Prime Minister, . Peter O’Neill , has undertaken a further inspection of the the new National Convention Centre in Waigani and said the building is an outstanding venue that will have substantial use in the coming years.

The project has been delivered as a friendship venture between the Governments of China and Papua New Guinea and is expected to be formally opened in the coming months.

“The new National Convention Centre will host a number of upcoming major events,” PM O’Neill said at the end of his inspection.

“We will host the APEC Transportation Working Group and the APEC Business Advisory Group meeting here in April.

"Then at the end of May we will host the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific meeting of Heads of State and Heads of Government.

“These events are further examples of how our country and our economy is expanding our engagement with the Asia-Pacific and the world."

The Prime Minister was accompanied by China’s Ambassador, HE Li Ruiyou, NCD Governor Powes Parkop, and the three Ministers responsible for co-ordinating the Project through the years of its construction.

"This project was initiated under the leadership of Honourable Puka Temu, then Ministerial responsibility passed to Honourable Charles Abel, and is being brought to conclusion under the guidance of Honourable Justin Tkatchenko.

"We thank the Government of China for bringing this project to Papua New Guinea, and the friendship we have with the People’s Republic of China.

“When the President of China visits Papua New Guinea in the not to distant future we will receive him in this centre."

The National Convention Centre will host APEC and other national events in its main auditorium, a range of smaller break-out meeting rooms, a 700 seat theatre and a formal dining area.