The National Trade Office (NTO) has demonstrated resilience and commitment in addressing challenges and achieving progress throughout 2024 despite budgetary constraints. Building on the foundations laid in the last 3 years, the NTO’s focus for 2024 centered on enhancing operational capacity, implementing key trade programs, and fostering Papua New Guinea’s economic growth through trade policy and facilitation.
The NTO successfully secured an increased annual funding allocation of K1.2 million for 2024, allowing the office to expand its core programs and initiatives, addressing previous limitations in execution and planning. Strategic partnership with development partners and international agencies supplemented operational funding and technical assistance.
In 2024, the NTO achieved full recruitment of its workforce, enabling a more robust implementation of its programs. Capacity-building initiatives, including staff training on trade negotiations and policy formulation, were undertaken in collaboration with international trade organizations. These programs improved staff productivity and empowered the NTO to deliver on its mandate effectively.
The office successfully transitioned to its newly customized headquarters in mid-2024, providing adequate space and infrastructure to accommodate its growing workforce and operational needs. This move addressed previous workspace constraints and enabled smoother workflow and program delivery.
The enactment of the Trade Defense Bill in early 2023 marked a significant milestone in strengthening PNG’s trade frameworks. The NTO also finalized the National Trade Policy Strategic Implementation Plan, aligning stakeholders’ efforts toward achieving the goals of the National Trade Policy 2017-2032.
These frameworks positioned PNG to better navigate global trade dynamics and secure economic benefits. The National Trade Portal, launched in March 2024, became a critical tool for information dissemination and enhancing the ease of doing business. By providing accessible online trade information, the portal contributed to reducing trade costs and improving PNG’s trade competitiveness.
Additionally, the NTO initiated phase two of the portal’s development to incorporate interactive features and expand its functionality. The NTO plays the coordinating role in PNG’s preparations for the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. As the lead agency, the NTO coordinated with sectoral agencies to ensure a comprehensive representation of PNG’s cultural heritage and trade potential under the theme “Empowering Lives.” Despite these achievements, the NTO faced hurdles in streamlining inter-agency collaboration and securing consistent funding for certain initiatives.
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