The momentum to host the first ever historical Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Summit has picked up as the country plays host to this very important international summit, which will be opened by Prime Minister James Marape on Sunday.
The summit is hosted by the Marape Government through the Department of International Trade and Investment.
In a media conference on Thursday, International Trade and Investment minister, Richard Maru gave an update of the summit.
“On the first day of the summit on Monday 08 May 2023, we will define and learn about countries who have gone into SEZ and the key factors that have made them to be successful and why many others have not succeeded, so PNG can learn from the experience of the countries who have succeeded,” Minister Maru said.
Maru said, SEZs have been here in PNG for over 30 years.
“Despite the legislation and the establishment of the Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA), we still don’t
have a Policy, we don’t have a Master plan and Development plans for SEZA, and this summit now, will help us learn from other countries on how they have made theirs work,” the Minister said.
Maru said the Government has given one SEZ license to Paga Hill SEZ, and they are hoping that more SEZs will be identified and developed after the summit.
“We don’t want this summit to be another talk feast, we want to learn and start working on more and more SEZs as the key driver for economic growth,” the Minister added.
He said PNG has vast potential, and more SEZs are expected to be announced on Tuesday next week, when the summit ends.
“I would like to thank all the sponsors; Platinum sponsors Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA) and the Ministry of International Trade and Investment, Gold sponsors; Department of National Planning, IHU SEZ, Kumul Consolidate Holdings, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited and National Fisheries Authority, Silver sponsors; PNG Ports, MRDC and Bronze Sponsor, Telikom PNG and Securities Commission,” Minister Maru
said.
Over 400 delegates all over the country including international speakers have paid their registration to attend.
Provincial governments and districts have shown immense support to participate and have also paid the registration for their representatives to participate in the summit.
“We are pleased to inform you that we have confirmed 7 international speakers from India, China, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Bangladesh and International Finance Corporation (IFC) who will be arriving on
Saturday 06 May 2023.”
“Local participating delegates from provinces and districts throughout Papua New Guinea will start arriving today (Friday),” Minister Maru said.
The delegates will have a unique opportunity to contribute to the SEZ Policy, the Master Plan, the Legal Framework and also listen to speeches not only from international speakers but also on potential SEZs in Papua New Guinea and important local SEZ development partners.
The Minister said booths for the summit sponsors will be setup inside the Stanley Hotel on the second floor, on Saturday
for the sponsors to showcase their brands and merchandises and it will also serve as information booths for participating delegates during the course of the summit.
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