OCTOBER 2, 2022
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has given the green lights to Japanese think tank Japan Development Institute (JDI) to help develop a new Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Master Plan for the country and work with partners like the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the World Bank to build SEZs right across the country.
He gave the blessing to CEO and Chairman of JDI, Dr. Shoichi Kobayashi, during a meeting with him in Tokyo last Tuesday (September 27, 2022).
PM Marape was accompanied by International Trade and Investment Minister Hon. Richard Maru, East Sepik Governor Hon. Allan Bird and Papua New Guinea Ambassador to Japan Hon. Samuel Abal.
Minister Maru and Ambassador Abal also had comprehensive discussions with Dr Kobayashi to progress the SEZ concept in PNG as a matter of urgency, starting with the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone (PMIZ) in Madang.
The JDI is an independent think tank/consulting firm, specialised in international development. It was first established in 1982 as the World Consultant Service (WCS) and later changed its name as JDI after merging with the think tank of the Institution of Engineering Consulting Firms Association, Japan (ECFA) in 1997. With its distinguished experts from numerous disciplines and the network with its associate institutions and experts in the world, JDI provides a broad range of consulting services in the field of development, carries out practical studies, and proposes concrete projects and strategies.
“I give JDI my full support to come into PNG,” PM Marape told Dr Kobayashi.
“I thank you for responding promptly to our request to meet with you to progress the SEZ concept.
“You have the expertise that we need, and Minister Maru and Ambassador Abal have given me the okay to engage you, so let’s work together to progress this.
“We have moved ahead with passage of the Special Economic Zones Authority Act in 2019, so the political will is there, it’s just a matter of getting the nuts and bolts in place.”
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