In the last two years, PNG exports to China Have risen over K13 billion.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil, “It is public knowledge that PNG exports to China have grown from K11.829 billion in 2018 to K13.185 billion in 2020.”
He added that the dominant exports were from the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry.
“The three leading recipients of our exports based on 2018 figures are China, Japan and Australia,” he said. “In comparison, 50 per cent of imports were from Australia followed by Singapore, China and the United States.”
He added that there was potential with other imports and exports, guaranteeing the Chinese Ambassador Xue Bing that the focus of PNG in the relationship between the two countries was because of economic matters, commerce and mutually beneficial trade.
“As a primary producing country with raw materials, my country is aware of the huge market in China for raw products,” he said. “I understand we will be discussing the gas component sometime next week, with the upcoming Papua LNG, but our country’s interest – and I believe yours – extends beyond energy to mining, agriculture, forestry, fishery and other fields of technology. We also note China’s growing involvement in civil and road construction as well as in the electronic and computer sectors.”
In spite of the growing competition between China and the United States, Basil said PNG would remain a neutral friend to China and all other industry players.
“The tensions on many fronts are churning waves and tossing many countries of the world including us in the Pacific like driftwood,” he said. “PNG stands neutral and remains friends to all and enemies to none.”
