Minister for International Trade & Investments, Richard Maru has proudly announced that the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Special Economic Zone (SEZ) master plan formulation will be kicked off tomorrow, with members from the Japan Development Institute alongside local experts to travel out to various parts of the country.
Minister Maru expressed great excitement stating that the team, spearheaded by Dr. Shoichi Kobayashi and experts from the country will be travelling to Rabaul, Manus, parts of the highlands region and the southern region to inspect proposed sites.
“Then they will be heading back to Japan just before Christmas, straight after Christmas they will come back. By that time they will appreciate our country and the various locations that they need to visit.”
Minister Maru is hoping that by March next year, after a SEZ plan has been drafted and sent through, the first Papua New Guinea Special Economic Zone Summit will be held here in the country in April.
He stated that by the end of April, he hopes to bring experts from all over the world, where they have already implemented SEZ to give accounts on their experience in the sector.
“They will also provide a critique to our draft plan, which will be presented for the first time in the summit. All provincial heads, MP’s and others leaders within each provinces all across the country, including the private sector will be invited to the Inaugural Summit to share their experience.”