Papua New Guinea Government will soon offer visa-on-arrival for Philippine passport holders.
Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko made this announcement at a joint press conference with Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo in Manila recently.
Papua New Guineans traveling to Philippines currently access visa on arrival.
Philippines have a large diaspora in PNG numbering nearly 30,000 Filipino workers, permanent residents and naturalised PNG citizens.
PNG top diplomat is on a state visit to the Southeast Asia country for the inaugural PNG-Philippines Policy Consultation, with talks covering a range of issues from bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.
“l am pleased that trade and economic relations between the two countries is steadily increasing and should continue to expand and diversify. There are vast untapped opportunities that can be further harnessed and developed by both countries through cooperation for mutual benefits,” Tkatchenko said.
PNG and Philippines established formal diplomatic relations immediately after PNG gained independence on 16 September, 1975 and Tkatchenko wants both nations to “further expand cooperation in business, trade and investment, tourism and downstream processing.”
Minister Tkatchenko and Foreign Secretary Manalo acknowledged the common challenge facing respective communities in both countries, with the effects of climate change and national policies to combat and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Manalo highlighted key bilateral issues between Philippines and PNG specifically on areas of cooperation in air services, tourism, labour, agriculture, fisheries and trade.
“Pleased that trade and economic relations between the two countries is steadily increasing and should continue to expand and diversify [but] there are still vast untapped opportunities that can be further harnessed and developed by both countries through cooperation,” he said.
