By Online Editor
4:17 pm GMT+12, 05/10/2012, Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea and the People's Republic of China signed and exchanged an Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation for Grant-In-Aid of 10 million RMB (K3.3 million) from the Government of China to the Government of PNG.

The Acting Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ambassador Lucy B Bogari, ISO signed and exchanged the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation with Qiu Bohua, the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Papua New Guinea relating to the Chinese Government Grant-In-Aid of 10 million RMB (K3.3million) towards funding of economic and technical cooperation projects in Papua New Guinea.

Acting Secretary Bogari acknowledged the assistance and stated that the aid will be used to construct Phase II of the Mt. Hagen Agriculture Technical Cooperation Project and purchase material for the Royal
Constabulary of PNG. In respect of implementation, the two governments will work closely with each other to coordinate the utilization of the assistance.

The Acting Secretary said she was particularly pleased to execute and exchange the Agreement with Ambassador Bohua. She added that apart from this Grant-In-Aid assistance, the Government of China has also provided similar Grant assistance in the past years.

Bogari, in appreciation also cited some of the past and ongoing projects funded by the Government of China to Papua New Guinea, which included the Port Moresby Sports Complex, Usino Yomagi Road, Goroka University (Phase II), Markham National High School, Kandep Wheat Project, the Eastern Highlands Mushroom Project, Wewak Sport Stadium, provision of medical doctors to the Department of Health (to be placed in the Port Moresby General Hospital, (Cancer Ward)) and the Papa Lealea Road among others.

Mention was made as well of the Waigani International Convention Centre Project which is now under construction with Chinese funding support.

Bogari added that China was amongst the top five of Papua New Guinea’s development partners. She said that this assistance once again demonstrates the growing and significant level of bilateral relations existing between China and Papua New Guinea.

In conclusion, the Acting Secretary conveyed through Ambassador Bohua the gratitude and appreciation of the Government and people of Papua New Guinea to the Government and people of China for their continued support and cooperation in PNG's development aspirations.

Is this the infrastrure loan for Lae Harbor.?? Can't tell. Appears to be.