International Trade and Investment Ministry of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby (2026)

11/05/2026

PNG and China Set for Historic Signing Next Week..
Port Moresby, May 11, 2026- The Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru, today confirmed that the Framework Agreement on enhanced economic partnership between the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the People’s Republic of China had been finalized.

“The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views and agreed to strengthen and elevate China – PNG economic and trade relations. The Framework Agreement is now ready for signing next week by myself and the Minister for Commerce of the People’s Republic of China on the margins of the Asia - Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Minister Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Suzhou, China. After signing the Framework Agreement, we will commence negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that will include various chapters including Economic Cooperation, Investment Facilitation, Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Rules of Origin, SME Development, Technical Barriers to Trade, Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation, Digital Trade, and others,” said Minister Maru.

“While we may have other bilateral Agreement with other countries, China will remain the most important partner in the area of trade and investment. We want to seal that through a CEPA. This is a critical step the Marape-Rosso Government is taking in consistent with our new foreign policy “Strategic Partnership for Security and Economic Prosperity”,” he added.

On his way to attend the APEC MRT Meeting, Minister Maru will also be meeting with potential investors who expressed their interest to invest in PNG following the China-PNG Business Roundtable held on the margins of the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Guangdong Province.

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Approved for Release

04/05/2026

We Have Only Four Special Economic Zones: Minister Maru..
Port Moresby, May 5, 2026- Papua New Guinea (PNG) currently has only four licensed Special Economic Zones (SEZs) including the Paga Hill, Sea Park, Pacific Lime and Cement, and the PNG Trade Centre, says the Minister for Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru.

“Four others have been approved in principle by the National Executive Council (NEC) but they are not considered Special Economic Zones (SEZs) because they have not yet applied for and received licenses from the regulator, the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA). These include the Portside Gardens SEZ, the Lae Port SEZ, Caution Bay SEZ, and the Finschhafen Integrated SEZ,” clarified Minister Maru.

He further clarified that the SEZA would only issue license subject to the project ticking off all requirements including secured State Land, availability of utilities, proving to have the funds to develop the SEZ, and others.

Minister Maru called on the management and developers of these four SEZs to apply for their SEZ licenses so their locators could benefit from the SEZ incentives offered by the Government.

“You cannot market yourselves as SEZs yet until you get a license. I am very disappointed that PNG Ports and the Kumul Consolidated Holdings have not applied for the licenses for the Lae Port SEZ and the Portside Gardens SEZ despite concept approvals and our encouragement. We already have investors interested to be located within these two SEZs,” said Minister Maru.

In the meantime, the Minister confirmed that six more proposed SEZs were being processed at various stages.

“It was mind blowing to visit Shenzhen with the Prime Minister last week. Shenzhen was declared an SEZ in 1980, transforming once a fishing village to a vibrant metropolis with a population of 20 million people, and now the world’s top technology cluster. Its 2025 GDP was US$ 558 billion, contributing over 40 percent to China’s GDP. This is the power of SEZs. Despite all the critics against the government on the SEZ policy, we will push ahead because we see SEZs as the main employer and the main driver of sustained economic growth into the future. No one will distract our focus on the development of SEZs in PNG. The transformation miracle of Shenzhen shows what SEZs can do and the potential they have to transform nations,” said Minister Maru.

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31/03/2026

The World Bank Keen to Assist PNG with its National Electronic Single Window Project..
Port Moresby, March 31, 2026- The World Bank Group’s (WBG) Global Trade Policy and Facilitation Team is currently in the country to meet with the Papua New Guinea (PNG) trade facilitation agencies to discuss ways on how they can assist the country with its electronic single window project.

The team met with the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru, and the Chief Commissioner for PNG Customs Service, Mr. David Towe, yesterday.

It was made known during this meeting that the WBG, through its global flagship Trade Facilitation Support Program, was keen to assist PNG in recommending a technical expert to help PNG:

● Finalize the user specification and go on tender;
● Evaluate the tender;
● Acquire, own, implement and upgrade the system; and
● Train Papua New Guineans to manage the system.

Minister Maru said: “PNG is still using archaic manual trade facilitation system which is very inefficient when the rest of the world has moved on to using the electronic single window system to facilitate trade which reduces approval turnaround time to minutes rather than weeks as is the case in PNG. We want to go on tender in the next three months and acquire and implement our national electronic single window system this year. We cannot delay because we are already 20 years behind the rest of the world. We need every help we can get and we are also ready, as a Government, to go all out to deliver this project.”

The visiting team was very impressed with the progress of the work done by the PNG National Trade Facilitation Committee under the leadership of Mr. Towe. They gave assurance of their support to this project of national significance.

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23/03/2026

Minister Maru Congratulates Richard Yakam on his Re-appointment as the Chief Trade Officer..
Port Moresby, March 23, 2026- The Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru, congratulated Mr. Richard Yakam on his re-appointment as Chief Trade Officer for the National Trade Office for another term of four years. He commended him on his contribution and leadership in delivering key reforms that had strengthened PNG’s trade policy and institutional framework which was lacking since Independence.

Minister Maru thanked the NEC for its decision on the re-appointment, saying continuity and stability was important as PNG focused on securing new and improved market access for PNG exports through Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs), starting with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“Effective participation in international trade is critical to PNG’s economic growth and long-term resilience and requires a stable and resourced National Trade Office to deliver this functional mandate. The key target of the National Trade Office, under the leadership of Mr. Yakam, will be to negotiate a CEPA between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the UAE. Our progress has been hampered by the war but we focus to have the negotiations completed and the Agreement signed before the end of this year,” said Minister Maru.

“We will use the CEPA between PNG and the UAE as a template in negotiating similar Agreements with other countries including Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and others,” he added.

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12/03/2026

Minister Maru Delighted with the Signing of the PDA for Central Lime and Cement Project..
Port Moresby, March 12, 2026- I am delighted that we have finally, after 10 years, reached an Agreement on the Central Lime and Cement Project at Kido and Rea Rea in Central Province, says the Minister for International Trade and Investment at the Signing of the Project Development Agreement (PDA) between the Independent State of Papua New Guinea and Mayur Resources this afternoon at the Government House.

The PDA established the overarching framework and shared objectives for developing, for the first time, an integrated facility to produce quicklime, clinker and cement in Papua New Guinea (PNG) for local and export markets.

The Minister confirmed that the construction of Stage 1, the quicklime kilns, quarry, wharf and supporting infrastructure was already well underway, following the developers’ Final Investment Decision in August 2025.

“These works are progressing strongly and will deliver PNG’s first major quicklime production capacity by 2027. With this PDA, the State and project partners have also cleared the pathway for Stage 2 - the clinker and cement manufacturing facility to commence construction this year. Once built, this will provide locally made high-quality cheap cement that will replace hundreds of millions of kina in imports, anchor new downstream industries like casting and brick facilities, and significantly expand PNG’s manufacturing base,” said Minister Maru.

The Minister said PNG was currently importing nearly all its quicklime and cement needs, impacting foreign exchange and construction costs. In 2024, PNG imported approximately US$14.3 million (over K55 million) worth of cement, with a significant amount of cement clinkers (US$7.88 million) also imported, primarily from Japan and Indonesia.

“The Central Lime and Cement Project aims to reduce this reliance by utilising domestic limestone for industrial production, supporting national infrastructure programs, including the Connect PNG Program. As a country, we should not be importing limestone and cement because we are endowed with limestone resources,” he said.

Minister Maru said, under this Agreement, the price of cement in the country will be reduced by half. He said the project will also be considered as a pioneer industry and offered protection for a period of up to 15 years by introducing a 30 percent tariff on all imported cement, with 10-year tax holiday to be offered for the second stage of the project.

“Cement is essential in building our nation. We want to see all our roads built with cement from the limestone resources within PNG. We do not want to see any of our limestone by-products like clinker being sent overseas. All our limestone must be used for our nation-building projects in PNG. Our priority is to meet our domestic demand before exporting the surplus,” said Minister Maru.

Under this Agreement, the landowners will receive 2 percent royalty and the State will also provide a total of K20 million in Business Development Grants and K20 million in Infrastructure Development Grants over two years. This will be captured in next year’s budget.

“30 percent of the shares of Pacific Lime and Cement will be bought by PNG Shareholders including the Central Provincial Government, the landowners, and the National Government through a State Nominee. Other PNG shareholders will also buy into this company through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) which will come out by September this year to raise up to K1 billion to build the cement factory,” said Minister Maru.

The Minister confirmed that this project was expected to create over 2,000 jobs. He also confirmed that there were three other limestone projects on the way.

“This project is one of the four Special Economic Zones the Marape-Rosso Government has licenced through the regulator, the Special Economic Zones Authority,” he said.

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12/03/2026

MITI Requests DoWH to Establish a SEZ Building Board..
Port Moresby, March 12, 2026- The Ministry of International Trade and Investment has requested the Department of Works and Highways (DoWH) to set up a Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Building Board for the country. The Minister, Hon. Richard Maru, said all SEZs around the world had their own Building Boards to fast-track building permit approvals as part of the one-stop-shop concept for SEZs.

“We cannot be awaiting approvals for over six months or a year as is the case in Papua New Guinea (PNG) today. We must compete with international competitors and other countries to secure investors. The SEZ Legislation allows us to have such a Board give permits within the SEZs,” he said.

The Minister requested the DoWH to establish this Board as a matter of priority with the Secretary for DoWH as the Chairman. He was very specific that the Board had to be made up of highly technical and competent people with relevant skills.

“A Board of seven (7) members, including the chairman, would be ideal. Their primary role is to consider building board approvals in all SEZs in the country. It is very important that we do not compromise building board standards in any way, shape or form,” said Minister Maru.

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09/03/2026

New Board of Directors for PPHL Sworn In..
Port Moresby, March 9, 2026- The new Board of Directors (BoD) for the Petroleum Park Holdings Limited, a subsidiary company of Konebada Petroleum Park Authority (KPPA), were sworn in this morning. The ceremony was officiated by Magistrate Billy Pidu and witnessed by the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru, who is also the Minister responsible for KPPA. Sworn in were Ambassador Joshua Kalinoe (Chairman), Mr. David Manau, Mr. Martin Kombri, Mr. Vera Raga, and Mr. Johnson Pundari.

The PPHL was established to manage downstream of petroleum and gas industry development, and registered in June 2016 under the Companies Act 1997.

“The KPPA and its subsidiary company were established in the absence of a Dometic Market Obligation (DMO), meaning no gas was reserved for domestic use. This has resulted in the KPPA and the land it owns sitting idle for years,” said Minister Maru.

The Minister, in his address to the new BoD, clearly outlined that the Board’s first assignment was to define the future of the KPPA and the land it owned.

“If we are to establish a petroleum park then where are we going to set it up? The Papua LNG Project will have 5 percent DMO, however, the processing plant must be located in Gulf Province because the gas belongs to them. We are sitting on prime land and losing out on industries that could be built on it, especially for the manufacturing sector to drive export processing and import replacement industries due to close proximity of the new wharf. This will create employment and generate taxes to help grow the economy,” said Minister Maru.

The Minister said he would be expecting the PPHL Board to bring a submission to the Cabinet in the next two weeks to inform them of the Board’s plans on the future of the KPPA. He challenged the BoD of make it happen.

“Either you go to sleep like everybody else or make a difference,” said Minister Maru.

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08/03/2026

Urimo Ranch Set to be Redeveloped..
Port Moresby, March 8, 2026- The 20,000-hectare Urimo Cattle Ranch in the Sepik Plains, once a thriving livestock hub that has been idle since the late 1970s, is set to be redeveloped by the Government in partnership New Britain Palm Oil Limited (NBPOL), says the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru.

“Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape, is fully supportive of this project. This will be the largest cattle farm of the country,” he said.

The Government through the Ministry of International Trade and Investment and Livestock Development Corporation (LDC) had reached an agreement for work to begin immediately, starting with fencing of large tracks of the 20,000-hectare land owned by LDC in Urimo and upgrading of Kusaun to Urimo Road.

“The work on the fencing is expected to start this week and the National Government has committed K10 million for the road upgrade with the contract to be signed in the coming week. The cattle will be ordered from Sialum in Morobe for the redevelopment of this ranch,” said Minister Maru.

“We are very happy with the cooperation we are receiving from the Minister for Livestock and LDC,” he added.

The Minister confirmed that the country had been importing K250 million worth of beef from Australia annually.

“This is because we do not produce enough to meet the local demand. That is the reason why the price of beef, including the ox and palm is so high,” he said.

“Replacing imports of beef and chicken are low hanging fruits because we can easily raise cattle and chickens in PNG. I am working with potential investors to make sure we produce enough beef and chicken to supply our domestic market and also for exports,” the Minister added.

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03/03/2026

Ministry Ready to Establish Special Economic Zones in Bougainville and Milne Bay Province..
Port Moresby, March 3, 2026- The Ministry of International Trade and Investment is ready to support the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and Milne Bay Province to set up Special Economic Zones (SEZs), says the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru.

The Minister was very happy with the meeting he had with the Commerce, Trade, Industry and Education Minister for ABG, Hon. Robin Wilson, and the Governor for Milne Bay, Hon. Gordon Wesley, who approached him to seek the Ministry’s help in setting up SEZs.

“Bougainville has raw materials like copper, gold, coconut, cocoa, limestone and fisheries that can be processed in its economic zone and it also has vast tourism potential. Milne Bay Province has similar endowments. For Bougainville, we can use the SEZ Act 2019 and tailor the policy to suit its environment, laws and market conditions,” said Minister Maru.

“My team from the Ministry and Department of International Trade and Investment, and the Special Economic Zones Authority will be happy to visit Bougainville and Milne Bay Province to hold workshops to help set up their SEZs. SEZs will be the primary engine for broad-based economic growth for the future as experienced in other countries like China, the Philippines, etc. I am very happy that more provinces are approaching my Ministry to set up SEZs in their provinces and regions,” he added.

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06/02/2026

Minister Maru Commends PM for PNG-UAE Visa Waiver Agreement..
Port Moresby, February 6, 2026- The Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru, commended Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape, for the signing of Visa Waiver Agreement between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“This will complement our decision to open our Mission in Abu Dhabi this year. It is also very timely as we are currently negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE which we plan to finalize by November this year. The Visa Waiver Agreement is a major coop for our negotiations and one that will show our credibility as a nation to negotiate a CEPA with the UAE. Entering into a CEPA with the UAE will demonstrate PNG’s commitment to establishing a long-term trade and investment partnership with the UAE. Our State Negotiating Team will be in the UAE before the end of this month for the first round of negotiations to be held in a face-to-face meeting as this will be the first of a series of negotiating sessions,” said Minister Maru.

The Minister said PNG was deliberately diversifying its trading partners, starting with the UAE to leverage its position as a major global port operator to access markets across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.

“PNG currently has a CEPA with the European Union only. Apart from the UAE, we also plan to enter into CEPAs with India, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia,” he said.

Minister Maru also commended the Ministers for Immigration and Foreign Affairs, and all responsible departments and agencies for securing this landmark Visa Waiver Agreement with the UAE.

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04/02/2026

Minister Maru Consults with Fishing Companies..
Lae, Morobe Province, February 4, 2026- The Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru, today, paid a courtesy visit to the fishing companies in Lae, Morobe Province, to inform them of the direction the Government was taking for the fisheries industry of Papua New Guinea (PNG). The Minister met with the management and staff of Frabelle PNG Limited, Majestic Seafood Corporation Limited, and Nambawan Seafoods Limited.

“As a Government, we are very keen to grow the fisheries industry in PNG. About 80 percent of the 550,000 metric tons of fish caught in PNG waters is not being processed in the country and we import approximately UD$36 million worth of processed fish. This is unacceptable. We cannot continue to allow this. We want our own industry to supply the market. The Government has made a decision to start PMIZ under the name Madang Integrated Special Economic Zone (MISEZ), specifically for the fisheries sector. We want to build ten new canneries and processing plants in this SEZ, apart from the first one that we will launch next month. The intention is to have the processing capacity in county to process all catch for every licensed boat that operates within our waters. We want the industry to focus on supplying the domestic market first before exporting. This is the strategic direction of the Government,” said Minister Maru.

Leading up to the launch of the Joint Venture (JV) cannery between the State and RD Corporation in Madang next month, Minister Maru invited these companies to look at the possibility of expanding their operations to the proposed MISEZ.

“RD is the first company we are partnering with to build the first cannery in the MISEZ. This cannery is separate from RD’s current operations. The vision of the Government is to provide land to other investors across the Pacific to build their canneries in this proposed SEZ. However, before we talk to other investors, it is only right that we should do justice to the existing investors in the industry by meeting with them and informing them of this opportunity. We have to recognize the companies who took the risk and invested without incentives. We want to give them first priority as we plan to have only ten canneries in the MISEZ,” he said.

To the companies, the Minister said: “You are very important players in the industry. We appreciate you and thank you very much for the confidence you’ve shown to invest in this country, for paying taxes, and creating jobs for our people. You all have operated over a decade or two in PNG and understand our industry and the challenges of doing business in PNG. You have grown roots and you should consider expanding your operations as part of your vision for the future. We understand that you are constrained by land to expand your operations in Lae so we are giving you the chance to expand instead to Madang so you can benefit from the SEZ incentives.”

The Minister also acknowledged that there were challenges that the Government needed to address to attract investors to invest in the MISEZ.

“We will work with the private sector to provide independent power supply, water supply, sewerage system, a port and other enabling infrastructure to attract the investors,” said Minister Maru.

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International Trade and Investment Ministry of Papua New Guinea

11/05/2026

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