Dede Sophie

PANGU Pati leder and PNG Prime Minister James Marape has welcomed Kokopo MP Ereman ToBaining into the Government, saying the door is open to other MPs to join. “We will always welcome them. It is the MP’s individual choice and we welcome him,” he said. ToBaining said he made the decision on behalf of the people of Kokopo. “My electorate (has) one of the biggest cities in the country. I made the choice to join Government so that my people can be a part of the Government’s great plans. “I look forward to working with the Government in building my electorate, province and country,” Prime Minister said. “I also hope to work with the provincial government and be a part of the many programmes that the government is (carrying out).” ToBaining was first elected into Parliament in 2012 under the People’s National Congress banner. PM Marape said all MPs were free to choose whether they should join the Government or the Opposition. Prime Minister Marape currently has 17 political parties in the c

PNG Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru has invited Indonesia to host the first-ever and historical PNG – Indonesia Trade Meeting in Jayapura, Indonesia, later this year. Minister Maru made this invitation through Indonesia’s Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Adriana Supandy last Friday. PNG invites Indonesia for first-ever PNG-Indonesia Trade meeting  He said if Indonesia agrees to have the trade meeting, then they can put together an agenda for the meeting, as well as a technical working committee, to organize that meeting. Mr. Maru said PNG’s trade team will not only be made up of Government departments and agencies, but also representatives from the three provinces of East and West Sepik and Western Province. He said he will be meeting with the Indonesian Trade Minister in his follow-up trip to Jakarta after the trade meeting in March, to have their first bilateral meeting. Mr. Maru added that this meeting is to discuss Indonesian President Jok