22 Nov 2016

PNG marine industrial zone to begin operating in 2017

From , 4:04 pm on 22 November 2016

The Papua New Guinea government is planning to get its Pacific Marine Industrial Zone project up and running in Madang Province in the first quarter of 2017.

This is according to the vice minister in charge of the project Anton Yagama who is also the MP for , Usino Bundi.

The US$235 million project, which would establish up to ten canneries and other port facilities on the Madang Lagoon, has been delayed for more than a decade due to legal, environmental and landowner issues.

However the prime minister  Peter O'Neill recently recommitted his government to construction of the PMIZ which will be carried out by China Shenyang International Technical Economic Corporation.

Anton Yagama told Koroi Hawkins the aim is to have the first cannery operational before the elections in April next year.

Fillipino tuna fishing vessels on the Madang lagoon

Fillipino tuna fishing vessels on the Madang lagoon Photo: RNZI/Johnny Blades