PNG invests US$20m for tourism development

Papua New Guinea Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Emil Tammur has confirmed that the Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) will be taking the lead in an upcoming tourism development project.
Mr Tammur said TPA will be the sole implementing agency to spearhead the US$20m (K64.6 million) World Bank funding obtained for the tourism hub developments in both Milne Bay and East New Britain provinces.
He said none of the funds will be kept or managed in the two provinces but would be sourced through TPA as the project implementer for effective developments.
“TPA will be the project implementing agency for the PNG Government and will be working in close consultation with a World Bank project monitoring team to move the project using the funds,” said Tammur.
He said as the implementing agency, TPA will provide funds directly to the service providers and contractors approved by the TPA board and sanctioned by the World Bank following close consultation with provincial working committees in both East New Britain and Milne Bay.
“The provincial committees in both provinces will be included as well to help identify and vet the projects on the ground in close consultation with TPA and the World Bank team before service providers and contractors are engaged,” he said.
Mr Tammur said this to clarify any misunderstanding that would later arise following the spending of the K64.6m funds that will be obtained as a loan from the World Bank.
Authorities from the World Bank have also confirmed with the Post-Courier yesterday that the agreement for funding support is yet to be released.
Meanwhile, Mr Tammur said TPA will provide a regular basis progressive reports to the TPA board and to his department to report to the National Executive Council on the project development.
Both provinces will be undergoing complete upgrade in the tourism infrastructure services and products as a global tourism hub declared by the government.