BY MATTHEW VARI
All 21 leaders of APEC countries have committed themselves to attend the 2018 world leaders meeting in November.
Minister responsible for APEC Justin Tkatchenko says the commitment by thleaders is confidence enough in the country’s ability to host the global meet.
Minister Tkatchenko said this in response to international reports citing PNG was struggling in its obligation to host the meet along with claims of billion kina spending estimates by thegovernment.
“Everything we are doing is in order.
“We are not spending billions of kina by putting down our economy or country.”
“Those comments are just lies and totally misleading. So at the end of day the budget is K300 million for this year and that is true and it is only about US$90 million so come on, let’s not get carried away.
“It’s not doing a Russia or China APEC which they absolutely spent billions of dollars, we are doing it in the Pacific way. Most of the infrastructure is already in place.
“It is making sure the logistics is okay and all the world leaders have already put up their hand that they are attending.”
He said confidence in PNG’s ability was solidified at the last APEC leaders meeting in Dan Nang Vietnam last year, during which Prime Minister Peter O’Neill met with all leaders of the 21 economies.
“President Trump as well has indicated that he would love to come and see Papua New Guinea. He has already indicated by asking…have they got a really good golf course. So it is a positive sign.”
“The Chinese president was the first world leader to put up his hand and said I am coming for the APEC meeting.
“When you have world leaders like that who are some of the biggest in the world saying they are coming and are supporting Papua New Guinea, then that is the sort of confidence that should be brought to the country and the rest of the world.”