RI eyes business prospects in PNG

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian government would encourage the country's textile manufacturers to invest in Papua New Guinea (PNG) as part of efforts to promote bilateral trade between the two countries, Minister of Industry and Trade Luhut B. Pandjaitan said on Friday.

Luhut, who was visiting the neighboring country, said textile manufacturing in PNG has good prospects, given the strong demand in the PNG domestic market and the potential export opportunities to Australia.

Luhut believed many Indonesian businessmen would be interested in this business opportunity, Antara reported.

Aside from textiles, PNG is also a good place to build electronic manufacturing plants, he said.

He said a team from PNG was expected to visit Indonesia early next month to study the types of cooperation that could be established by both countries.

Luhut was part of the Indonesian delegation, led by Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, invited by the PNG government to celebrate the country's 25th independence day.

Luhut signed a bilateral trade agreement with his PNG counterpart during the visit. (02)