Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill encouraged APEC senior officials to push ahead with policy progress, as he welcomed them to Port Moresby for this week’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Week.

Senior officials from the 21 APEC economies have commenced policy deliberations in Port Moresby to continue to build common ground towards advancing regional economic integration and connectivity, digital entrepreneurship and market access for businesses of all sizes.

The 12-13 November proceedings will be followed by the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Thursday, and culminate with a meeting of APEC Leaders on Saturday and Sunday, chaired by Prime Minister O’Neill.

“This has been a long road for a small economy like ours,” Prime Minister O’Neill said of hosting APEC in 2018.

“Policy discussions are going well. I look forward to receiving them with the Leaders over the next few days,” he told senior officials at their meeting.

This week’s meetings aim to provide greater policy direction in APEC for delivering trade that harnesses new, technologically-driven growth drivers, sparks business innovation and employment, and brings better quality of life to people in all areas of the region.

Under the theme “Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future”, they come at a time of global economic uncertainty. The APEC region accounts for half of global trade and 60 per cent of world GDP.

“We meet during a very crucial period, both globally and regionally, amidst economic uncertainty and other challenges that threaten the economic prosperity and integration and stability of our region,” said Ambassador Ivan Pomaleu, 2018 Chair of APEC Senior Officials.

“While this uncertainty, on the face of it, may appear to some to suggest disunity or disharmony, in my view, it demonstrates to us the heightened need for us here today to stand in solidarity and be more strategic in how we respond to these challenges and identify and harness the opportunities in a productive and inclusive manner where all economies can benefit,” he told officials.

An APEC report tabled at the meeting highlights the need for increased investment in infrastructure throughout the region, especially in the transport (road and rail), energy and telecommunications sectors.

Quality infrastructure investment supported economic growth, in terms of improving productivity, speeding up the flow of goods and people and thereby trade, and improving delivery of health, sanitation and other essential services. It also supported inclusive growth by helping to reduce poverty and connecting remote regions.

Many economies are undertaking structural reform of their policies to ensure ongoing quality infrastructure development, including changes to legal frameworks and government procurement practices to facilitate private sector investment.

Other reforms under way include deregulating network industries, adapting regulatory systems in light of technological change and reforming institutions such as state-owned enterprises and infrastructure funding models.

APEC economies will collectively need to spend $1.7 trillion per year between 2020 - 2025, rising to more than $2 trillion per year in the 2030 - 2035 period, to meet infrastructure needs, the 2018 APEC Economic Policy Report said.

The increased spending arises from population growth, aging populations, transport and connectivity needs, the rise of digital infrastructure, the need to ensure crisis-ready infrastructure and the need to renew aging infrastructure. Press release

Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae at the Grand Hall of Parliament as part of his two-day State visit to the country this week.

Clerk to Parliament Vela Konivaro told The National that Parliament had been closed to the public in the past few weeks to allow workers to prepare the premises for the president’s visit.

“President Xi will be paying a courtesy call on Sir Bob at Parliament’s Grand Hall so we have to make sure everything is prepared and all the security measures are in place,” he said.

Xi will arrive on Thursday.

“Parliament was closed to the public because of the work being done for Xi’s visit,” he said.

“A lot of work was done within Parliament’s precincts and we did not want the public to avoid disruptions.

“This was internal Parliament controls in place so that our work is uninterrupted.”

He said most of the work was completed.

Xi will also open the Independence Boulevard and will be accorded a 21-gun salute.

SOURCE: THE NATIONAL/PACNEWS

By Seagulls Media

BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls are pleased to announce the signing of Papua New Guinea internationals Rahdly Brawa and Edene Gebbie.

Both players have recently been involved in tests for the Kumuls side against the England Knights and the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII.

Brawa (27-years-old) is a highly respected member of the PNG Hunters side and was named the club’s Players’ Player of the Year at their 2018 awards night.

The lock forward is a strong leader on and off the field, and plays with a high level of toughness and determination. Brawa gets through a mountain of work in the middle, averaging 115 run metres and 37 tackles per game.

Excitement machine Gebbie (23-years-old) made a lot of noise in his debut season in the Intrust Super Cup and collected the Hunters’ Rookie of the Year award for his efforts.

The fullback/winger is electric with the ball in hand, scoring 10 tries on the season and averaging 126 run metres per game.

Seagulls CEO Hanan Laban believes the Kumuls’ pair will make a big contribution to the Club in 2019.

“We are very excited to bring two high quality players in Rahdly and Edene to the Seagulls – both have proven records in the Intrust Super Cup and are test players for their country.

In Rahdly, you have a player who plays above his weight, and with plenty of heart every week. He is tenacious in attack and defence, and we believe he will bring a lot of positive energy to our side.

Edene is one of the best athletes in the competition who possesses speed and lethal finishing ability. He has the potential to take his game to another level at Wynnum Manly.

It is a great opportunity for both Rahdly and Edene to come to Australia to further their careers. We look forward to working with both players and helping them achieve their dreams in rugby league.”