An agreement was reached recently between the Ministry and the Department of International Trade and Investment, and the Shenzhen Government and private sector for the new Papua New Guinea (PNG) trade mission to be in a very prestigious office building in Shenzhen.
“To have a trade mission in China is a very historic decision made by our Government and I am very pleased that the trade mission will be in Shenzhen,” said the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru.
Shenzhen transformed itself from a small fishing village into a global economic powerhouse in just over 40 years. It had experienced rapid economic, social, and environmental transformation and is described as innovative, inclusive, young, high-tech, and a green city. In terms of city status and influence, Shenzhen leads the development of Chinese cities and spearheads the progress of the whole world. The GDP of Shenzhen exceeded over USD 400 billion in 2022.
“We want our trade mission to be located in the heart of this rapidly evolving city,” said Minister Maru.
“Shenzhen and Port Moresby have a sister-city relationship so it makes sense for us to be located here as it would consolidate this relationship,” added Minister Maru.
Minister Maru said PNG was serious with its partnership with China.
“China and Papua New Guinea have been partners for 48 years, but we basically had a diplomatic relationship. This year is the start of a new beginning where we want to take our relationship to the next level and anchor the future of our relationship on trade and investment. We recognize that China is the economic powerhouse of the world, and we have a lot to learn from their experience. We know that China will continue to be a big market for our goods with trade currently in our favor. We also have a lot of exciting investment opportunities so the new trade mission will build the bridge between PNG and the private sector of China and the Chinese investors to look at long-term investments in PNG,” said Minister Maru.
“Our decision to host the inaugural PNG-Asia Investment forum in Hong Kong, the one-week State visit of our Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape to China for the Belt and Road Initiative Leaders Meeting in Beijing, and the opening of a trade mission in Shenzhen should be a statement to the Government and the people of China that PNG really wants to strengthen and deepen its relationship with China,” added Minister Maru.
A team will visit Shenzhen in the coming weeks to finalize the negotiations on the office space for the trade mission and to cost out the whole setup and operation. The position of the trade commissioner will be advertised soon so a trade commissioner could be appointed as soon as possible.
“If all arrangements go well, we will invite Prime Minister Marape to open our new trade mission in Shenzhen during his one-week State visit to China in October,” said Minister Maru.
Meanwhile, Minister Maru whilst in Shenzhen visited the Shenzhen Energy Group, Huawei, Qianhai Economic Zone, and the China Construction Science and Industry Corporation Limited, and he also met with the Deputy Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Mr. Yu Xinguo.
