Richard Butler | Exclusive Report by POST COURIER | AUGUST 28th, 2023
More economic opportunities will open up for member countries of the Melanesian Spearhead Group following the introduction of direct flights connecting Port Moresby to Asian destinations, Vanuatu and New Caledonia, vice minister for foreign affairs and Kundiawa Gembogl MP Muguwa Dilu said.
Dilu who represented the PNG Government on the first few days of the MSG meeting in the absence of the Prime Minister, James Marape said the opening up of the direct flights will grow tourism and promote commerce and trade between the MSG countries and the Asian economies.
“Our national airline, Air Niugini is opening up direct flights from Port Moresby to Indonesia, China, Hongkong, Singapore, Manila and Japan.
We will have direct flights to Port Vila and New Caledonia,” Mr Dilu informed the MSG members.
Mr Dilu is the Vice Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Constitutional Matters and attended the MSG meeting representing PNG as the PM is the Acting Foreign Affairs Minister.
He said PNG will renew its membership to the MSG, because it was committed to the shared values, cultural identities and development aspirations of the sub region.
Mr Dilu thanked Vanuatu for chairing the MSG meeting and acknowledged all the foreign ministers who were in attendance.
He was joined by Prime Minister James Marape on Tuesday, who flew into Vanuatu after travelling to Enga for the Porgera Development Forum.
