PNG Seeks US Private Capital and Urgent Relief on High-Priced Fuel and Travel Barriers

 Prime Minister James Marape has asked the United States to ramp up direct commercial investments in PNG’s resource sector while demanding answers over heavy visa financial bonds penalizing local travelers.

PNG Seeks US Private Capital and Urgent Relief on High-Priced Fuel and Travel Barriers/Photo supplied

Speaking during a summit encounter with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting, the Prime Minister framed PNG as a preferred partner ready for expanded trade, renewable energy development, and immediate relief from high international fuel tariffs.

The PNG leader raised concerns over delays in delivering a joint fuel-storage setup in the country, stressing that resolving administrative hurdles could turn PNG into a central supply point for neighboring island nations. Marape welcomed Washington's US$60 million Pacific Regional Energy Security Initiative, urging American officials to direct funding toward local solar projects to lessen PNG’s reliance on costly fossil fuel imports. In response, Landau reassured the PNG delegation that Washington views the nation as a vital economic anchor, pledging to connect viable resource developments with US funding bodies to accelerate progress.

On travel restrictions, Marape firmly requested that Washington utilize modern digital border screening instead of slapping punitive cash bonds on Papua New Guineans. Landau reassured the Prime Minister that the travel bonds are part of a broader, non-discriminatory border control framework, though he committed to taking Port Moresby's grievances back to Washington for further review.

    "The greatest need right now is the reduction in the cost of fuel," Prime Minister Marape said.