"It is true that PNG has appealed to Indonesia to hold another BTF in the border area as it did in 2017," Chief of the Border and Foreign Cooperation Bureau of the Papuan Provincial Government Suzana Wanggai remarked here on Wednesday.
The PNG government put forth the request during the Border Liaison Meeting held in Lae late last year, she stated.
Wanggai noted that PNG views the festival as a platform for its businessmen to explore business opportunities, especially to establish cooperation with Papuan businesspersons in supplying various commodities to the neighboring country.
The BTF also serves as a means for PNG businessmen to promote their commodities to Papua, she remarked, adding that the Papua provincial government will make efforts to organize the event.
"During the BTF 2017, held in the vicinity of the Skouw border checkpoint in Jayapura, businessmen of Papua and PNG expressed keen interest (in participating in the event)," she noted.
The Papua provincial government has yet to set a date for the second BTF since matters pertaining to it are being discussed with various parties, she added. Related news: PNG consistently supports Indonesia's sovereignty over Papua: MP
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Translator: Evarukdijati/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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