Papua New Guinea is “place to be” for investors

Caption:Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal unveils a plaque to commemorate the opening of Vision City Mega Mall as RH Executive Director Tan Sri Datuk Tiong Hiew King (right) and RH PNG Managing Director James Lau look on.-Picture by AURI EVA

 

By MALUM NALU

 

Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal says Papua New Guinea has made a complete turnaround from previous years and is now "the place to be" for investors.

Abal said this when addressing guests at a dinner last night to celebrate the opening of Vision City Mega Mall as well as the 20^th anniversary of Rimbunan Hijau.

He had earlier unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the iconic Vision City Mega Mall owned by RH.

"Many things are happening in the country, thanks to the LNG," he said.

"We (government) have always been pro-investor and I think that will stay.

"We are looking at a turnaround of the country.

"We have grown from a minus 2% growth rate to 7-8% growth rate now.

"Good things are in store and Papua New Guinea is the place to be."

Abal said RH, unlike many other companies, didn't run away from the country.

"RH put trust in this country at a time when many others didn't," he said.

"PNG was not a good investment place but they stayed."

"I want to congratulate you (RH) and welcome investors in general."

Abal said PNG was blessed which resources which must be exploited for the benefit of the people.

"It's a blessing that PNG has all the resources it has," he said,

"It's important that these resources are exploited for the benefit of the people.