Monday 15 July 2024
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and his delegation departed for Indonesia on Sunday 14 July for official visits to Indonesia and Japan.
Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso will be Acting Prime Minister during this period from July 14, to Friday, July 19.
Prime Minister Marape met with Indonesian President H.E. Joko Widodo for the Annual Leaders’ Dialogue held from 14-15 July.
This will be the third Dialogue following the inaugural Dialogue in Jakarta in 2022 and the second held in Port Moresby in 2023.
Prime Minister Marape will also meet incoming Indonesian President, H.E. Prabowo Subianto, during the visit.
Mr Marape will then visit Japan for the Pacific Islands Leaders’ Meeting (PALM) Summit from July 16-18, where he will engage with Japanese Prime Minister Hon. Fumio Kishida and Pacific Island Forum Country Leaders.
“Indonesia and PNG share common land and sea borders and there are many issues of common interest which must be discussed at such regular meetings,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“There has been increased focus on trade and commerce between our two countries, so that our produce can find markets in Indonesia, and Indonesian products can find markets in PNG.”
He added, Indonesia has a population of more than 270 million people, the fourth-largest in the world, and need food, energy, and other produce, stating, they are the biggest consumer of beef in the world.
“ My focus has been on the export of agricultural produce to Asia, including Indonesia, given their huge population.”
“Indonesia continues to assist us, the latest being this week, when four plane loads of relief material were flown in for flood victims and Western and landslide victims in Enga.
“I look forward to meeting with President Widodo to discuss these and other matters including bilateral relations, education, and various other matters.
“Indonesia-PNG relations must be maintained going forward with incoming President Subianto.”
Prime Minister Marape’s program in Japan will include, a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida and have an audience with Emperor Naruhito, apart from the PALM Summit.
“Japan is a big importer of PNG produce, including LNG, minerals, fisheries, forestry, and agriculture,”
Mr Marape will also visit Japanese technology, agriculture, and road construction projects when in Japan.
“Japan is also keen on PNG continuing to supply them with energy, and I will be discussing this further with them during my visit.
“Our two countries must continue to enjoy good people-to-people. business-to-business, and government-to-government relations.”
Prime Minister is being accompanied by Livestock Minister Hon. Seki Agisa, Oil Palm Minister Hon. Francis Maneke, International Trade and Investment Minister Hon. Richard Maru, and Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Justin Tkatchenko.