The Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (ICSA) today signed a milestone Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) on mutual co-operation and data sharing that will enable promotion of the tourism sector and immigration services.
The signing formally establishes a genuine partnership between the two agencies to ensure their mandates are delivered; one is responsible for facilitating genuine movements of people and the other is responsible for promoting tourism activities that directly benefits the local economy.
Acting Chief Migration Officer Mr. Wellington Navasivu says the two agencies have realized the importance of working together for the fact that they have similar functions especially when dealing with the tourists. Having an MOU is a way forward and now that it has been signed, implementation will take effect immediately.
Unlike working in isolation in the past years and faced with a lot of challenges, ICSA and TPA will now work together where necessary to ensure proper facilitation of the tourist entering and exiting PNG.
As an implementing agency, ICSA has implemented government’s decision to remove the visa fees giving visa-on-arrival for all the tourists entering PNG. As a result, there is increase in the number of tourist visiting PNG every year and that directly supports the economy through tourism sector.
Mr Navasivu has praised his TPA counterpart Mr Eric Mossman Uvovo for his leadership and has extended gratitude to all staff members from both agencies who have worked tirelessly to complete this MOU.
CEO of TPA, Eric Mossman Uvovo highlighted the importance of the partnership.
“This MOU supports our goal at TPA to position Papua New Guinea as a premier global tourist destination. By aligning our efforts with ICSA, we can provide a seamless travel experience for international visitors, strengthening our shared commitment in making Papua New Guinea an attractive tourist and investment destination. The industry stands to benefit immensely from this collaboration,” said Uvovo.
