Kimbe Port in West New Britain (WNB) Province is set to be upgraded into a state-of-the-art port facility following a signing today between PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PPCL) and project developer Pacific Marine Group (PMG). The Australian Government will fund the project through the PNG-Australia Partnership with K 207 million. The funding is part of a K1.5 billion blended financial package provided to PNG Ports by the Australian Government through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) in 2022. The signing was witnessed by the Australian High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency John Feakes, and Minister for State-Owned Enterprise, Willam Duma. Other key dignitaries present were PPCL CEO Neil Papenfus, PPCL Chairman Harvey Nii, Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) Chairman Moses Maladina, PMG Managing Director Terry Dodd, KCH Managing Director Prof. David Kavanamur, and WNB Provincial Administrator Leo Mapmani on behalf of WNB Governor Sasindran Muthuvel. H.E Feakes said this project is a testament to the strong relationship between PNG and Australia and their commitment to giving opportunities to Papua New Guineans. “As projects commence, more regions will share in the economic benefits of improved maritime connectivity and access to employment and skills development. In total, the Kimbe project is expected to create up to 300 local jobs through the construction phase. The project is structured to maximize opportunities for local workers and suppliers. Marine works at Kimbe will be delivered with a workforce made up of 70% locals, with over 30% of the project spending to be through Papua New Guinea companies. Landside works were tendered only to Papua New Guinea firms, with the contract to be awarded over the coming weeks,” said Ambassador Feakes. Minister Duma said West New Britain has a huge potential for agriculture; thus, the upgrading of the Kimbe Port is a strategic step in opening doors for the province. “West New Britain, compared to many other provinces, is indeed a sleeping giant. We've identified Kimbe as a centre with potential, and we hope to emulate that in the other provinces. Opportunities are available there in agriculture, especially fisheries, timber, oil palm, all those development opportunities, even tourism,” said Duma. PPCL CEO Mr. Papenfus said Kimbe Port is one of the most important ports of the total of 15 in the country. “Kimbe Port is our third largest port and a priority in our 30-Year Port Infrastructure Master Plan. Located in PNG’s largest producer and exporter of crude palm oil, the port is critical to our economy. This project will bring key benefits, including local job creation and economic engagement. Our ports must remain fit for purpose, capable of meeting future business demands and resilient to climate challenges. This project is an important step in reaching those goals,” said Papenfus. Kimbe is the first of four other ports that will be upgraded through the AIFFP funding. Work on the port is expected to start in the first quarter of 2025 and will take 16 months to complete. PMG CEO Mr. Dodd said it was going to be a very big task since the Kimbe port is very busy, but he is confident that they will get the job done because of their experience in carrying out such projects.