Papua New Guinea's Minister for Transport has launched road infrastructure projects in Enga province worth over 18 million US dollars.
EMTV reports that Francis Awesa says that since growth in the Highlands region is significant to PNG's overall development, it is vital to establish better road links.
The minister says that economic activity is building in the Highlands but that provinces like Enga clearly need proper road networks.
He signalled several road and transport infrastructure projects that will link the Highlands region to the coastal provinces.
Among them is the short-cut road linking Mul Baiyer in Western Highlands to Madang province in a bid to open up agriculture development.
PNG's government has prioritised roading projects in its overall national development strategy, directing a significant portion of both its aid package from Australia and a reported 2.5 billion US dollar loan from China's Exxim Bank to such projects.
