Opposition leader Patrick Pruaitch says hosting of the APEC Summit will showcase PNG’s potential in the dynamic Asia Pacific region, and allow other Pacific island nations to participate.

“The Opposition supports the initiative that will showcase our cultural diversity and traditions, the nation’s agricultural and resource potential and our eagerness to participate in the growth and prosperity of this dynamic region,” he said.

Mr Pruaitch said at the APEC Summit in November, PNG will play host to US President Donald Trump, China’s President Xi Ji Ping, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Alexander Putin and 16 other APEC heads of government.

He said the United States, China and Japan are respectively the first, second and third largest economies in the world, making up around 55 per cent of the world’s total estimated gross domestic product. They are home to corporations that are household names in every corner of the globe.

“Government agencies like the Tourism Promotion Authority and our national airline, Air Niugini, spend millions of kina promoting PNG and, at APEC, they have opportunities that no amount of money can buy,” Mr Pruaitch said.

The Opposition leader noted that the opportunities have already begun to roll in with some 12 different APEC groupings of government officials meeting presently in Port Moresby, creating unprecedented business for hotels and conference venues, many of which are fully booked out.

“The private sector arm of APEC, the APEC Business Advisory Council will bring to our shores some of the world’s distinguished business leaders for whom, the sky is virtually the limit if they see business opportunities in agriculture tourism and other sectors,” he said.

Mr Pruaitch said PNG has always done a remarkable job in hosting major international conferences and sporting events, and he was confident the public would ensure that honoured APEC guests from abroad will be treated with the greatest of courtesy and respect during their visits.

He said this would also be the first time that PNG’s closest friends from among the Pacific Islands, including the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu would be able to participate in the APEC Summit at the invitation of PNG as host nation.

“This is a chance for all of us to put up issues of special concern such as climate change,” he said.

Member countries of APEC are – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong-China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.