Picture: Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru and the Chief Trade Officer from the National Trade Office, Mr. Richard Yakam in Tokyo, Japan
Papua New Guinea Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard arrived in Tokyo, Japan over the weekend as part of the delegation who will be representing Papua New Guinea at the Funeral of Former Prime Minister of Japan, Late Shinzo Abe which will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
In addition to his 2018 APEC tour, the late Mr. Abe also paid a three-day bilateral visit to Papua New Guinea in 2014, during which he visited the Peace Park in Wewak, East Sepik.
Late Mr. Abe was referred to be a "Great Leader" by Minister Maru.
“I am really sad to hear about his passing and how he passed on,” said Minister Maru.
“I treasure the two meetings with him that I attended both in his office in Tokyo and during his visit to Wewak,” he said.
While in Tokyo, Minister Maru will also take advantage of the chance to meet with the Japanese Ministry of Trade to discuss ways that Papua New Guinea and Japan can strengthen their partnership in terms of trade, investment, and other areas of cooperation. This will include more trade, particularly in the fields of forestry, coffee, and cocoa exports to Japan.
“Japan is one of the most important trading partners that we’ve had for a very long time, and we highly value this relationship that we have,” said Minister Maru.
With a clear mission to attract greater foreign investment from Japan into Papua New Guinea, Minister Maru and the Prime Minister will also be engaging with current and potential investors in Japan.
In order to have the first bilateral trade negotiations with the trade ministers of these two nations as well as possible investors there, Minister Maru will be returning to Papua New Guinea via Singapore and the Philippines.
His top objective will be to speak with prospective investors for the primary and downstream processing of rice and other agricultural goods.
Additionally, he would look for greater technical assistance for the Securities Commission and the Special Economic Zone Authority.
Reference: Papua New Guinea Today (25 September 2022). “PNG International Trade and Investment Minister Richard Maru visits Japan”.
