By Fabian Hakalits – EM TV News, Port Moresby
One Autonomous Bougainville Government Minister, Robert Hamal Sawa, says that he is keen to support tourism for the region’s internal revenue growth.
Mr Sawa who is the Associate Minister of the Community Development Department says that Bougainville is easy to manage and if tourism is prioritised, this will change the face of the autonomous region.
The Minister accompanied the Bougainville Group who was part of the Papua New Guinea Delegation to the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts in Guam.
Mr Sawa says that Guam is a resource less island territory, without mining, oil or petroleum but it’s only through tourism, that generates 60 percent of its revenue, that the government sustains its economy.
“Bougainville should learn from Guam on tourism. Guam is a tourism hub with many attraction that generates around 60 percent of its revenue,”
Mr Sawa says that tourism is a great market and Bougainville has many products, which must be explored.
And if tourism is prioritised, its will be a major economic drive for the region’s internal revenue.
“I believe, that as ta government, we need to promote tourism. The pot of gold is tourism, which we need to explore into this untapped resource, because it can sustain our economy,” Sawa said.
Because of the financial hardships encountered, Mr Sawa says the Autonomous Bougainville Government must be self-reliant.
