Indonesia expected to become big business partner of PNG

By JESHER TILTO
PAPUA New Guinea Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ian Tarutia says Indonesia will become one of the country’s biggest partners in the trade, commerce and industry sectors.
“At the business level, we have had a formal relationship with our sister oragnisation, the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry or Kamar Dagang dan Industri Indonesia (Kadin), starting in June 2013 and extending for another three years since March 2022 by way of a memorandum of understanding (MoU),” he said.
“This MoU essentially promotes the collaborative partnership in commerce and trading between our two countries.
“This relationship is logically and practically important for both our countries because of our proximity to one another as Indonesia is PNG’s closest neighbour and
we share common ancestry with our Melanesian brothers and sisters.”
Tarutia said this during the inaugural Indonesia-PNG Business Conference in Port Moresby yesterday.
“This visit and discussions by our leaders reinforces the will to make more tangible trade, commerce and investment opportunities among ourselves at the business level,” he said.
“We are supportive of the establishment of an Indonesia-PNG business council that will have specific focus on trade, commerce and industry opportunities in both countries.
“After today, dialogue will continue to get this entity up and running.”
Kadin’s PNG and Timor-Leste committee chairman Handito Joewono said the visit to the country was productive and would result in more mutually beneficial business opportunities.
“We wish strengthen our collaboration. Over the last few days, we have enjoyed many business meetings among the Indonesia and PNG companies in information technology, trading, tourism, transportation and education,” he said.
“One of the key enablers for future trade expansion between PNG and Indonesia is connectivity.
“The inaugural flight from Bali to Port Moresby a few days ago was done in the hope to increase business relationships between both countries.”