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PMIZ / Auspact story is full of holes

By PMIZ Watcher

Today's newspaper story (see below) about a deal between the PNG government and Auspect over investment in the proposed Pacific Marine Industrial Zone is full of holes and demands some further explanation from the government.
 
We are told the Department of Commerce has signed 'a deal' with Auspect to develop a 'manufacturing facility' within the PMIZ in Madang.
 
What sort of 'deal' has been signed - what has been promised by each of the parties? 
 
And what sort of manufacturing facility is proposed - what will be produced in this factory?
 
Auspect is described as an Australian-based company but the Minister says the deal 'signified the good relationship between PNG and China' and welcomed this 'Chinese investment'.
 
Is Auspect an Australian company or a Chinese company?
 
Are the Chairman, Wilson Xue, and his partner, Ye Guang Xu, Australian or Chinese?
 
What is their interest in investing in PNG?
 
What economic 'sweetners' have they been offered or promised by the PNG government?
 
Xue and Xu are reported to be visiting Madang today. 
 
Have they been to Madang and the proposed PMIZ site before?
 
Do they know what they are promising to invest in?
 
How much have they promised to invest?
 
Come on Mr Kapris and Mr Andrias, the people of PNG have a right to know much more about these deals you are signing on their behalf.
 

PNG, Auspect sign deal on PMIZ project

Source: 
The National - Friday, March 4, 2011
PAPUA New Guinea, through the Department of Commerce and Industry, yesterday signed a deal with Australian-based company Auspect PNG for the future development of a property within the Pacific Industrial Marine Zone (PMIZ).
Signed between DCI acting secretary John Andrias and Auspect chairman Wilson Xue, the agreement will look into the best possible partnership to build a manufacturing facility at PMIZ which is located at Vidar, Madang.
The property would include a warehouse, hotel, residential areas, amenities, health and education centres and other facilities.
Commerce and Industry Minister Gabriel Kapris said that this deal signified the good relationship, especially in trade that PNG and China had  enjoyed for many years.
 “This is a very good investment opportunity for PNG because China is now a big economy and having Chinese investors in the country means they can target their own markets and that is a very big plus for us,” he said.
Kapris said bringing in Chinese investors Auspect through Xue and partner Ye Guang Xu, would open up more investment opportunities for other investors to participate in the PMIZ, particularly the marine park.
Xue  and  Ye are set to visit the park and proposed areas in Madang today that has been approved by the Lands and Physical Planning division and the government for the development of this land into a small township complete with amenities.
Kapris said the success of selling PNG to potential investors was  in the availability of land and the stability of the government.
“The stable government being experienced today has seen so many events taking place …  the economy is growing and investors are encouraged to come to PNG, he said.

Comments

Just saw this story in The National. Never heard of the shoe king before so I did a quick google search and have found nothing on this Wilson Xue or the company Auspect. Sounds as though greedy politicians have sold another piece of PNG!