The Department of International Trade and Investment has come on board as a government department sponsor of the 70th Papua New Guinea (PNG) Agriculture and Trade Festival in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province.

This sponsorship was solidified yesterday in Goroka when a dummy cheque was presented to the Chairman of the festival committee and President of the Highlands Farmers and Settlers Association (FSA), Mr. Wilson Thompson, by the Department’s Deputy Secretary Policy, Mr. Frazer Murray.

“On behalf of the department of International Trade and Investment, we support the event that you are hosting and also congratulate you on the 70th PNG agri- trade festival here in Goroka,” he said.

“This is an event which the department is very much supporting the drive in reviving agriculture and continuing the overall goal of the government’s objectives of promoting the agriculture sector, downstream processing and all the way to the markets. So, we would like to acknowledge your contribution, not just in Goroka, but throughout the country.”

Upon presenting the cheque of K15, 000, the Deputy Secretary Policy hoped that this funding will help stage the three- day event and with it, continue the partnership that the department has with the FSA.