PM O’Neill’s first day in Japan prior to PALM 7

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Peter O'Neill has undertaken a range of high level government bilateral meetings and business consultations in Tokyo prior to the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 7) that begins I today in Japan.
Meetings with the leaders of Palau and Japan provided an opportunity to discuss significant bilateral issues, and with leading Japanese businesses the Prime Minister was provided insight to business and investment opportunities in PNG.
The first bilateral meeting of the visit was with the President of Palau, Thomas Remengesu Jr, where the two leaders discussed Pacific Islands Forum policy issues as Palau prepares to pass Forum Chair responsibilities to PNG.
"President Remengesu has provided clear leadership to the Forum policy agenda and I commend him for his work particularly in the area of marine conservation," the Prime Minister said.
"We look forward to Palau's attendance at both the Pacific Islands Forum Meeting in September, as well as 50 athletes coming for the Pacific Games in July."
Meeting with Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, over a working lunch, PM O'Neill said a number of issues were discussed that were of significant importance to both countries.
"In the areas of tourism, fisheries, development and disaster preparedness, our two countries have shared interests," PM O'Neill said.
"These are matters that will continue to evolve through discussions between our officials, and we expect to reach new agreements at our next meeting.
"Following Prime Minister Abe's visit to Papua New Guinea last year, he has invited me to return to Japan for a State Visit later this year.
"This will also provide an opportunity to bring a large number of Papua New Guinean businessmen and businesswomen to Japan to build on our established commerce and investment ties."
The commerce and investment opportunities in Papua New Guinea were also the subject of discussion with business representatives from companies that included JX Nippon Oil and Sojitz Corporation, Marubeni Corporation.
"There is already a lot of Japanese business interest Papua New Guinea and we want to expand that base.
"Japanese investment in our country continues to grow and this is employing more and more Papua New Guineans.
"There is also increased opportunity for Papua New Guinea exports to Japan.  As one of the strongest economies in the world, Japan is an important market for Papua New Guinea that we will continue to grow."
The first formal day of the PALM 7 Leaders Summit begins today.