PNG Appoints New Trade Commissioner to Indonesia, Signaling Shift Toward Economic Partnership
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has announced the appointment of Seline Leo-Lohia as the country’s new Trade Commissioner to the Republic of Indonesia. The appointment, approved by the National Executive Council (NEC), marks a major shift in PNG’s bilateral priorities—from border and security concerns to trade, investment, and economic development.
 |
| Ms. Leo-Lohia |
Prime Minister Marape said this appointment reflects the government’s strategic intent to build a stronger economic relationship with Indonesia. “For the last 49 years, our engagement with Indonesia has focused primarily on border and security issues. These have not brought meaningful development in trade, job creation, or export growth,” he said.
Marape emphasized the need to strengthen commercial ties and open up new opportunities for both countries. “We must now build a deeper, robust relationship centered on trade and investment. The appointment of Ms. Leo-Lohia begins this important transition.”
As Trade Commissioner, Ms. Leo-Lohia will play a vital role in engaging Indonesia’s private sector and promoting economic collaboration through mechanisms like the PNG-Indonesia Business Council. She will serve as PNG’s direct link to Indonesian investors, businesses, and development agencies.
The Prime Minister highlighted Indonesia’s remarkable economic growth, noting its emergence as Southeast Asia’s largest economy and the seventh-largest globally by purchasing power parity. He credited Indonesia’s transformation to its focus on value-adding industries and its network of economic zones, including 118 Industrial Parks, 15 Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and multiple trade and tourism zones.
“One nickel SEZ at Weda Bay alone created 80,000 direct jobs and 12,000 indirect ones—more than what our entire mining and petroleum industry has achieved,” Marape said. “PNG has similar potential in mining, petroleum, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, and we must now focus on downstream processing and industrial growth.”
Marape said PNG stands to benefit greatly by learning from Indonesia’s model of translating natural resources into sustainable economic development. “They are willing to share their experience, and we must be ready to partner and grow together.”
The government hopes this new appointment will pave the way for stronger economic integration, increased investment from Indonesia, and the modernization of PNG’s export and industrial sectors.
Also read
Post a Comment