The Provincial Member and Governor for Madang, Hon. Ramsey Pariwa, is inviting the Government of the People's Republic of China to invest more in Madang Province.
Governor Pariwa extended the invitation to the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to PNG, His Excellency Yang Xiaoguang, during his official visit to Madang last Friday, December 12 to deliver 2000 solar-powered lightings to be installed in Madang Town.
"I invite the Chinese Government to invest more in Madang Province," Governor Pariwa said.
"Madang is where you've tested your investment and you have seen the success through Ramu Nickel and Cobalt mine," he stated.
He assured that he looks forward to holding hands with China in a collaborative partnership to progress trade and investment opportunities.
"I must state that the only major development partner for Madang is China through MCC," Governor Pariwa said.
He further stated that in the country Madang has contributed much to the economy of China through the Ramu NiCo Project.
"We have a shared interest and that's Ramu NiCo and we have a shared future because of Ramu NiCo," Governor Pariwa stated.
He further stated that as long as Ramu NiCo remains, Madang and China would continue to work together.
The Governor was blunt in arguing that other provinces and cities in the country seem to be getting huge assistance from China particularly Port Moresby, Mt. Hagen, Lae and others yet they are not contributing any of their resources to China compared to Madang. This is quite unfair.
Going forward Governor Pariwa stated that China must focus its attention on assistance and support to Madang because Madang is hosting the Ramu Nickel mine which is the only Chinese mine in the country and also in the Pacific.
Governor Pariwa also acknowledged the presence of the Chairman of Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Limited, Wang Zhou, at the occasion.
The Madang Governor said he would hold hands and work together with Ramu NiCo on the extension and expansion of the mine, but the interest of the people of Madang must come first.
"You must comply with the laws and regulations that the country has in place," Governor Pariwa said.
"We will work together and finalize that, and all parties must be in a win-win situation," he stated.
He further stated he wants to work in collaborative cooperation and partnership and the relations between Madang Province and Pintang County in the Fujian Province of China would be based upon the foundation that MCC has already built.
"I am looking forward to more cooperation, not only China giving to Madang. We have already given our nickel and cobalt, but we are also looking at giving our coffee, cocoa and other agriculture resources through our sister-city arrangement between Madang and Pintang County," Mr. Pariwa said.
He said going forward Madang needs to light up and he thanked the Chinese Government and its people for donating two thousand solar-powered lights to Madang.
"Together with China, Madang will see more lights. Not only in solar-powered lightings, but more investments in other sectors of the economy, so I look forward and must say a big thank you to the Chinese Government," Governor Pariwa said.
Ambassador Yang thanked Madang Province for looking after Ramu NiCo.
Mr. Yang said in Madang Ramu NiCo is the bond and bridge for a closer relationship and also wants to see that friendship maintained through people-to-people exchanges.
Ambassador Yang said he believes Ramu NiCo will comply with the mining regulations of this country and fulfill its corporate social responsibility to bring more benefits to the people of Madang and become an important bridge for both PNG and China.
