Papua explores rice exports to neighboring Papua New Guinea

Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s easternmost province, Papua, is exploring opportunities to export cross-border rice with neighboring Papua New Guinea (PNG) to boost commercial activity along their shared border.

Head of the Papua Provincial Border and Cooperation Management Agency, Triwarno Purnomo, said trade opportunity was a key focus of preparatory discussions ahead of the upcoming Indonesia–Papua New Guinea Border Liaison Officials Meeting (BLOM).

"On Tuesday (October 27), we held a preparatory meeting with relevant agencies ahead of the Border Liaison Officials Meeting,” Purnomo said here on Wednesday.

He said the inter-agency coordination is important to harmonize positions and address strategic border issues, particularly the movement of people and goods, security, and bilateral trade cooperation.

According to Purnomo, the trade initiative builds on previous bilateral business-matching forums that brought together enterprises from both nations to identify commercial prospects.

"An Indonesian entrepreneur has explored exporting essential commodities to Papua New Guinea, particularly rice and cooking oil, and we need to capitalize on this momentum actively," he said.

Purnomo stated his agency would continue facilitating market opportunities, including by exploring support for indigenous Papuan entrepreneurs in preparing warehouses to facilitate trade activities.

"Expanding cross-border trade is part of our strategy to revitalize the border economy, alongside monitoring the movement of people and goods, handling customs and immigration violations, as well as maintaining defense and security," he added.

Beyond trade and border management, Purnomo said the preparatory meeting also discussed opportunities for cooperation in healthcare services between hospitals in Papua and Papua New Guinea.

Related news: Indonesia eyes direct flights between Papua, Papua New Guinea

Translator: Qadri Pratiwi, Uyu Liman
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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