Taiwan envoy Daniel Hu leaves after 4 years in PNG

A second farmers’ training centre will be set up by the Taiwanese government at Mirigeda outside Port Moresby next year, according to outgoing Taiwan Trade Mission leader, Daniel Hu.

Hu, who left Papua New Guinea  after being here for the last four years, said the centre was one his his biggest achievements apart from the Taiwan Trade Fair, capacity-building programmes for PNG, health, and others.

Hu talking about Taiwan-PNG relations before leaving.

He said the centre would be like Taiwan’s established farmer training centre at Bubia outside Lae.

“It’s a joint project of Taiwan, Central provincial government, and Department of Agriculture and Livestock,” Hu said.

“This second training centre is like what they have in Lae.

“Our government has agreed to fund this important project which will help PNG government to build up a lot more farmers.

“Training will also be carried out for extension officers.

“The idea is to transform farmers from subsistence agriculture to semi-commercial farming.

“I consider that one of my biggest achievements.”

Hu said PNG-Taiwan bilateral relationships had experienced an unprecedented growth against all odds.

“It is reflected in the increase of trade volume from US$123.5 million in 2010 to US$355.9 million in 2013,” he said.

“This is almost a three-fold increase in trade volume between PNG and Taiwan.

“When I return to Taiwan, I will do all I can to remind our people that PNG is in a new era.

“Taiwanese are welcome to do business in PNG with fair terms.

“PNG is a rising state in the Pacific with double-digit GDP growth in the years to come.

“I believe friendship will bring me back to PNG again and again.”