Papua New Guinea invites Thais to invest in energy projects

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has invited Thai business operators to invest in energy and natural gas in his country. The invitation was extended on Monday during his talks with Thai Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on the sidelines of the 21st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), being held in the Indonesian resort island of Bali. O’Neill reportedly told the Thai prime minister that he will assign Papua New Guinea’s petroleum and energy minister to soon visit Thailand to discuss in details with Thai Energy Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal, noting that demand for petroleum in Papua New Guinea has been on the rise. O’Neill also thanked the Thai government for supporting Papua New Guinea to host APEC Summit 2018 and related forums and Thai business operators for investing in several businesses in Papua New Guinea, including fishery, natural resources and energy, which have helped boost his country’s economy. The Papua New Guinea’s leader also asked the Thai government to help coordinate with other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the possibility of larger trade activities between his country and the 10-member grouping. Earlier in the day, the Thai prime minister attended a meeting with members of the APEC Business Advisory Council on various subjects, including food security and investment in basic infrastructure projects. The Council was reportedly interested in Thailand’s small, medium and micro-sized enterprises and the Thai government's support given to international businesses, aimed at reducing their expenses and simultaneously boosting their technology. (TNA)