Papua New Guinea's Works minister has announced that a consultant has been engaged to carry out a feasibility study on an international highway connecting East Sepik province to Jayapura in Indonesia.
Gabriel Kapris says the proposed road will encourage East Sepik people to drive over to Jayapura to buy and sell their products, bringing in more economic activity.
He says despite inflation and the PNG kina rating low compared with other international currencies, people can purchase goods in Jayapura at a reasonable price.
Mr Kapris has not disclosed the projected cost of the project, but he says AusAid has already assured assistance to seal the road from Yangoru to Maprik.
The minister has appealed to locals not to pressure the developers and government with compensation claims, saying this will only hinder proposed development into their area.
Mr Kapris says at the next parliament sitting, the government will be deliberating to outlaw the land compensation demands in the country.
