PNG and China Set for Historic Signing Next Week
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Port Moresby, May 11, 2026- The Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru, today confirmed that the Framework Agreement on enhanced economic partnership between the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the People’s Republic of China had been finalized.
“The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views and agreed to strengthen and elevate China – PNG economic and trade relations. The Framework Agreement is now ready for signing next week by myself and the Minister for Commerce of the People’s Republic of China on the margins of the Asia – Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Minister Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Suzhou, China. After signing the Framework Agreement, we will commence negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that will include various chapters including Economic Cooperation, Investment Facilitation, Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Rules of Origin, SME Development, Technical Barriers to Trade, Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation, Digital Trade, and others,” said Minister Maru.
“While we may have other bilateral Agreement with other countries, China will remain the most important partner in the area of trade and investment. We want to seal that through a CEPA. This is a critical step the Marape-Rosso Government is taking in consistent with our new foreign policy “Strategic Partnership for Security and Economic Prosperity”,” he added.
On his way to attend the APEC MRT Meeting, Minister Maru will also be meeting with potential investors who expressed their interest to invest in PNG following the China-PNG Business Roundtable held on the margins of the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Guangdong Province.
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