Pacific Lime and Cement (PLC) officially launched the Central Lime & Cement project operations on Kido Island in Central province on Friday 1^st August, much to the appreciation of the local villagers, the Provincial Government and the National Government. Pacific Lime and Cement, formerly Mayur Resources, focuses on the development of natural resources and renewable energy in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The company is committed to delivering its diversified asset portfolio, which spans lime, cement, nature-based forest carbon credits, iron and industrial sands, contributing to nation building and job creation. Opening formalities at the opening ceremony on Kido was PLC Managing Director Mr. Paul Mulder, who described the occasion as monumental as it took ten (10) years for the landowners, the Provincial and National Governments and PLC to get to this final stage, and thanked all parties involved. “This is the first day that we turn around and we say we are no longer just taking the resources out of the ground and sending them offshore to somebody else. It’s the day we say that we’re going to downstream process and put the products back into the ground in Papua New Guinea,” said Mr. Mulder. The project aims to give one hundred per cent Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) before exporting to overseas markets. This means that most of what the Central Lime & Cement manufactures will be used in country for nation building. They include cement, bricks, concrete foundations and materials used for construction purposes will be sold in PNG first. Prime Minister (PM) James Marape, who was guest of honor at the occasion, said this will alleviate the challenges of importing such materials overseas. “Today I want to say this investment is a complement to the type of investment the Pangu Pati led government has been seeking for since we arrived in office in 2019,” said Marape. “We want investors from outside that grows our local economy, that stops import, that contributes to the exports.” “In as far as I and my government are concerned, this investment ticks all the necessary boxes in as far as government policy is concerned and Papua New Guinea’s aspiration for our progress.” The Central Governor Rufina Peter and local Member of Parliament (MP) for Hiri Koiari Keith Iduhu both also expressed gratitude for finally getting this limestone project off the ground, highlighting the significant benefits to trickle down to the people and the province and district. These benefits include a road link from the island to the mainland Central province in the form of a bridge, better social services, job opportunities and spin off business opportunities. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Marape said the official launching marks the Final Investment Decision (FID) that PLC has made in this major project in the Central province, showing confidence in doing such a major project in PNG. Prime Minister Marape and Mr. Mulder then proceeded to revealing the plaque to officially launch the Central Lime & Cement operation.