VISA ON ARRIVAL, FURTHER STUDY, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ON PNG-US AGENDA

PNG-US RELATIONS: Visa on arrival for both countries, further study and employment opportunities, and investment by US firms in the downstream processing space were high on PNG’s shopping list.

Amplifying these PNG’s interests in its bilateral relations with the United States of America, Prime Minister, James Marape held fruitful discussions with the new United States Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Ann Marie Yastishock, today at his Sir Manasupe House Office in Port Moresby.

Prime Minister Marape, in welcoming the Ambassador, said PNG is a friendly country with a robust democracy.

Prime Minister Marape informed Ambassador Yastishock on the need for detailed discussions on implementing the recently signed PNG-US Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA).

Ambassador Yastishock highlighted that the US government is keen on progressing this and proposed a meeting with officials from both countries later this year in Port Moresby.

Prime Minister Marape also noted that the US has stepped up its interactions with the Pacific in recent years, such as the last two US-Pacific Island countries meeting in Washington.

He said whilst it is good, the outcomes must be seen by the Pacific Island countries.

“For our PNG-US relations, PNG has a huge youth population with school leavers seeking further studies and employment opportunities, and that needs to be addressed in the next five to seven years.

“That is why we are in the conversation on downstream processing. If we can get US investors into downstream processing in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, this could help create employment opportunities for our citizens,” said Prime Minister Marape.

He also reiterated the need for scholarships for PNG students to study in the United States.

“Ambassador, under your time, if we could further expand on this scholarship for our PNG students, it would do a great deal in alleviating some of the unemployment and training needs of our young citizens coming out of our school system.

“The number of spaces in our higher institutions of learning and those graduating have limited employment opportunities, so, if the US can help facilitate scholarships for PNG students in the US, would be great,’’ he said.

Last year, the top performing students from PNG’s National Schools of Excellence were offered scholarships in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in US universities.

Further, Prime Minister Marape also discussed the issue of reciprocal visa on arrival arrangements for both PNG and US citizens.

━ Related News

K9.2 MILLION SARAGA-KIPO ROAD PROJECT LAUNCHED

The long-awaited Saraga-Kipo road project took a major step forward on Monday with the groundbreaking ceremony for the 1.2km road construction. It will connect East...

CONSTITUTION AMENDED TO REINTRODUCE 18-MONTH VONC

The Marape-Rosso Government has successfully passed a significant constitutional amendment, reinstating an 18-month grace period following a failed vote of no confidence (VONC) against...

AMERICAN PROFESSOR TO HEAD ENGA UNIVERSITY

American Professor Brian Davis will become the President of the new Innovative University of Enga (IUE). Professor Davis and his spouse Nadezhda Kareyava arrived in...

PNG PARLIAMENT DECLARES NATION’S CHRISTIAN IDENTITY

In a historic move, Papua New Guinea’s Parliament has voted to amend the Constitution, formally declaring the nation’s Christian identity while preserving the freedom...

PM Marape backs Court ruling, upholds democracy

Prime Minister, James Marape has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Parliament’s independence and the separation of powers. The court rejected Deputy Opposition Leader,...