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APEC 2018 budgeted for: Papua New Guinea

Xinhua, January 4, 2017 Adjust font size:

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has insisted that APEC 2018 is budgeted for despite lingering questions over its ability after suffering a significant economic downturn.

PNG chief secretary and ambassador Isaac Lupari said in an emailed statement on Wednesday provisions for APEC have been budgeted since 2013 to ensure infrastructure is in place.

"We are also collaborating with the private sector for accommodation and we are collaborating with the National Capital District Commission in making sure that Ela Beach is part of the development," Lupari said.

"We have had people involved since day one, in terms of protocol, in terms of logistical assistance, so since 2013, the government has been investing strategically in preparation for APEC 2018."

PNG's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has previously vowed the leaders summit will go ahead as a "truly Pacific APEC" that will be the "most cost effective in the history of the forum". However, questions remain over their ability giving the nation's ongoing governance and security issues while suffering a significant economic downturn.

PNG is in the depths of its second worse recession in history with growth at just 2 percent in 2016 -- originally forecasted at 4.3 percent in the 2016 budget -- though economic activity will pick up to 2.8 percent in 2017, according to the November budget. When it was named to host the APEC 2018 summit, PNG was growing at 13.3 percent, the fastest in the world.

PNG's 2017 budget includes a 250 million Kina provision for APEC, Lupari said, while it's also partnering with major petrochemical corporations such as Oil Search to build key infrastructure for tax credits.

Lupari thus dismissed questions over PNG's ability to host APEC -- and carry out the national elections due in July -- being about the central government's economic woes to instead place the burden on the underperforming public service sector.

"The Public Service continuous to be the major obstacle to implementation and delivery of the government policies and programs," Lupari said.

"It is important that every public servant in the country reflect on our performance in 2016 and start 2017 with a change in attitude and take greater ownership." Endit