Photo credit: PNG Ports Corporation
According to the New Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, local jobs would be produced throughout the upgrading and refurbishing of ports around the nation, which will cost roughly K1.48 billion.
Nolis Thomas, president of the Chamber, said the initiative might boost the province's export earnings.
The Australian government has granted AU$580 million (K1.48bil) to rebuild and enhance ports around the country.
Kavieng port will get K66.4 million, according to State Enterprise Minister William Duma.
“Just by having the project here will provide employment for people in the province,” Thomas told The National.
“In the long run, the possibility of increasing the export of other products, mainly marine, will increase.
“That’s been talked about but how much will come to reality is something that we will wait and see.
“But it will increase the possibility of exporting other goods.
“We have oil palm which is one of the main cash crops.
“So oil palm, logging and fisheries will be boosted and return a little for the province in oversea currencies.”
In a virtual ceremony, Prime Minister James Marape and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison signed the agreement.
Morrison stated that the agreement with PNG was aimed at ensuring the country's sovereignty, independence, and self-sufficiency.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the Australian colonial authority developed all of Papua New Guinea's ports.
Reference: The National (25 January 2022). “Ports upgrade will create job opportunities, says chamber”.
