The Minister for International Trade and Investment in a recent statement says Papua New Guinea (PNG) is all set for the 2025 World Expo in Japan; however, the matter with the space limitations at the Expo, could see PNG resort to other methods to showcase the country to the world. But before this statement was releases, Minister Richard Maru was interviewed by PNG HAUSBUNG after coming back form the recent 10th Pacific Island Leaders Meeting (PALM) in Tokyo, Japan where he said the upcoming World Expo in Osaka, Kansai, Japan will be very different from the last one held in Dubai in terms of spaces available for the countries taking part. “The difference between the expo in Japan and the last one in Dubai is that in Dubai there was so much space that each of the countries had their pavilion, so you had a place only for your country,” said Minister Maru. “In Japan, space is limited, and we will have a Pacific pavilion so there’ll be limited space for us to promote our country because we will share our both with the rest of the pacific. So, we got to really think of how we can maximise the opportunity.” “We may use technology to really drive our promotion of our products and also the promotion of Papua New Guinea as an exciting tourist destination,” the minister added. Nevertheless, in his recently released statement Minister Maru said PNG is ready to attend the expo in Japan despite some delays in preparations as the National Government had already approved K5.6million to counter fund the Osaka Expo for PNG’s participation. “The K5.6 million was based on the understanding that the host country would allow us to display and sell our products within the pavilion itself; however, we have been advised by the host government that the Expo site will be an artificial island (Yumeshima) and there is a risk of methane gas and more weight may cause the island to sink so they are discouraging selling and displaying of products within the expo site. Only digital exhibition will be allowed in the pavilion at the Expo site.” “We want to make a bigger impact in the Japanese market and in the world at this Expo so we are exploring an option to lease a commercial centre outside the Expo space at the Osaka Bay Area where we can display and sell our products and services and promote PNG as an exciting tourism and investment destination.” “We will need funding to lease a commercial centre and the cost is expected to increase given the host Government will not be offering a waiver for some of the domestic laws like taxes, quarantine issues, standards etc- everything will on commercial basis. Hence, we are now looking at the options of having the private sector to come on board and support us,” Maru said. The 2025 Osaka Expo is expected to have a total of 150 countries and 25 international organizations to participate. To date, over 160 countries and international organization have already confirmed their participation for the Expo. The event also expects an estimate of 28.2 million visits over the course of the Expo, highlighting the Expo’s international significance and appeal. That is why Minister Maru said this is an opportunity for PNG to market its products and services, and to promote the country as a tourism and an investment destination, adding that it is also an opportune time for PNG to show its commitment to Japan if it wanted to take its relationship with Japan to the next level. “This Expo is Japan’s premier event that will expose them to the world, and they are very keen that all their traditional partners and special friends like PNG supports them in this Expo. Japan is a major export market for our LNG. The trade between PNG and Japan is in our favour,” said the minister. “Japan has supported us in times of disasters and Japan through JICA has delivered aid projects with a focus on quality infrastructure with recent examples being the funding of an upgrade of Port Moresby’s dilapidated sewerage treatment capability, improvements to electrical transmission networks in the Ramu grid that serves the industrial city of Lae, as well as upgrading of Nadzab and Tokua airport to international standard. He said PNG has benefited so much from its relationship with Japan and PNG’s attendance and participation at the Osaka Expo 2025 is one chance for the country to show its commitment to Japan. Meanwhile, a team from the Secretariat led by Commissioner-General of Section PNG, Ambassador Gabriel Dusava will be visiting Osaka in the coming week to meet the organizing team of the Expo and to identify a commercial space for PNG to lease for the six months of the Expo starting in April next year. “We are six months late in preparation, but this is doable if we have the full support of the government and the private sector. Though slow, the momentum has begun. It will require the total involvement of the government and the private sector to get the success that we want from Osaka Expo 2025,” said Ambassador Dusava.