Prime Minister James Marape is set to embark on crucial diplomatic visits to Indonesia and Japan from July 14 to July 19, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations and explore new trade opportunities. During his absence, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso will serve as Acting Prime Minister. Prime Minister Marape will first travel to Indonesia for the Annual Leaders' Dialogue with President H.E. Joko Widodo from July 14-15. This meeting marks the third iteration of the dialogue series initiated in Jakarta in 2022. The discussions are expected to cover a broad range of topics including trade, commerce, and bilateral cooperation. "Indonesia and PNG share common land and sea borders, and there are many issues of common interest which must be discussed at such regular meetings," Prime Minister Marape stated. Highlighting the significance of trade, Marape noted, "There has been increased focus on trade and commerce between our two countries, so that our produce can find markets in Indonesia, and Indonesian products can find markets in PNG." The Prime Minister emphasized Indonesia's vast market potential with its population exceeding 270 million, making it the fourth-largest in the world. Marape's agenda includes discussions on exporting agricultural produce to Indonesia to meet its substantial demand, particularly in food and energy sectors. Following his visit to Indonesia, Marape will attend the Pacific Islands Leaders' Meeting (PALM) Summit in Japan from July 16-18. Here, he will engage with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other Pacific Island leaders. This summit presents an opportunity to bolster PNG's trade relations with Japan, a significant importer of PNG's LNG, minerals, fisheries, forestry, and agricultural products. "Japan is a big importer of PNG produce, including LNG, minerals, fisheries, forestry, and agriculture," Marape noted. Apart from attending the PALM Summit, he will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Kishida and have an audience with Emperor Naruhito. Marape's visit will also include tours of Japanese technology, agriculture, and infrastructure projects to explore potential collaborations. Marape’s trip is to address PNG’s immediate needs and future cooperation with bilateral partners of choice. Marape's delegation includes Livestock Minister Seki Agisa, Oil Palm Minister Francis Maneke, International Trade and Investment Minister Richard Maru, and Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko. The visit aims not only to address immediate trade needs but also to foster long-term cooperative relations. In a show of Indonesia's ongoing support, Marape acknowledged recent aid efforts, "Indonesia continues to assist us, the latest being this week, when four plane loads of relief material were flown in for flood victims in Western and landslide victims in Enga." Marape’s diplomatic missions underscore the importance of maintaining robust international relationships to support PNG's economic growth and development.