Prime Minister James Marape attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa last month, where he used the opportunity to advocate for stronger business ties between Papua New Guinea and Samoa. The event, attended by several Pacific leaders and dignitaries, including King Charles, served as a platform for Marape to engage with Samoan leaders and the business community, emphasising the mutual benefits of deepening economic collaboration.
During his visit, Marape encouraged PNG-owned businesses to expand their presence in Samoa, particularly in sectors like construction, tourism, and finance. He highlighted the contributions of established PNG entities such as Bank South Pacific (BSP), which has played a key role in supporting local businesses in Samoa by improving access to financial services and enhancing the ease of doing business. Marape also praised the involvement of PNG companies like the Curtain Brothers, known for their infrastructure projects, as examples of potential business growth in Samoa.
Marape stressed that PNG’s expertise in tourism, infrastructure, and logistics could support Samoa’s economic goals, especially as the Pacific region looks to foster interconnected development. His call for PNG companies to explore opportunities in Samoa aligns with his vision of strengthening intra-Pacific partnerships. The presence of a robust arbitration system in PNG, he noted, could also serve as a model for handling business disputes in Samoa, making it easier for both nations to build investor confidence and foster a stable business environment.
Additionally, Marape took the opportunity to congratulate Singapore’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, and discussed PNG’s ambitions to strengthen trade relations with Singapore, positioning it as a gateway for broader regional trade. The visit underscored Marape’s strategic approach to enhancing PNG’s regional presence, creating synergies between PNG and its Pacific and Asian partners.
The CHOGM discussions concluded with Marape’s commitment to reducing barriers to trade and investment between PNG and Samoa, aiming to create a more seamless and mutually beneficial economic relationship. The Samoan business community expressed gratitude for Marape’s initiative, recognising the potential for closer ties to bring new investment and growth opportunities.
Executive Committee members of the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council, Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council and the Australia Fiji Business Council along with Trade & Investment Queensland, also participated in Business Roundtables at the biennial event.
