by Fabian Hakalits – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Negotiations are in place to open the Papua New Guinea to Singapore route for other airlines to operate.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Richard Maru says this is to allow more competition in the market.
“The Commerce, Trade and Industry Ministry, is working behind scenes to push for the airspace route between Papua New Guinea’s Port Moresby to Singapore route,”
Mr Maru said this is to allow more competition in the market and promote tourism in the country.
“We are also talking to other airlines to bring in the new competition for the route between Port Moresby and Singapore. This is because many people transit through Singapore to most of the other Asian countries,” he said.
While the Port Moresby to Manila routes has already been opened with Philippines Airlines, the same will be done with Singapore.
This is to encourage other airlines to compete with Air Niugini to bring down cost.
“It is important we bring down costs, so we bring in more tourist and visitors to PNG,” he said.
Law and order, high cost of airfares and accommodation are cross-cutting issues to tourism.
With this the National Government has earmarked in investing in three world class hotels to make Port Moresby a hub of the Pacific.
“I am happy to announce that the National Government has approved two projects, new hotels in time for the APEC Summit in 2018. It will allow competition for the cut in the excessive cost for hotels in the country,” Mr Marus said.
The anticipation now is to drive the costs down and improve the business climate to allow more investment in to the country.
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