JAPAN-PNG PARTNERSHIP DRIVES K120 MILLION IMPROVEMENT OF FACILITIES FOR NATIONAL FISHERIES COLLEGE

Friday 22 May 2026 --- Kavieng, New Ireland -- Meaningful progress is built through enduring partnerships, mutual respect and a shared vision for development.

This was the comment made by the Minister for National Planning, Hon. Sir Ano Pala, at the groundbreaking ceremony of the National Fisheries College Waterfront Redevelopment Project in Kavieng, New Ireland Province, on Wednesday.

Funded through the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) grant support for the Improvement of Facilities and Training Equipment, the project is valued at K120 million, inclusive of Papua New Guinea’s contribution.

Sir Ano thanked the Government and people of Japan and JICA for their longstanding friendship and development assistance to the country.

Alluding to the goals of the Medium Term Development Plan IV 2023–2027 in building a K200 billion economy by 2030, creating one million new jobs and improving the quality of life for citizens, Sir Ano said the fisheries sector is central to this ambition.

“It is one of the sectors where Papua New Guinea holds a clear natural advantage, and one that can contribute significantly to employment, exports, food security, downstream processing and inclusive growth in our coastal and island communities,” Sir Ano said.

The project aims to improve the safety and efficiency of training through the construction of waterfront facilities and the procurement of equipment, including a training vessel for the National Fisheries College (NFC), thereby contributing to the promotion of the fisheries sector in PNG.

Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Jelta Wong, said since the signing of the new bilateral fishing access arrangements in 2006, fisheries cooperation with Japan has grown significantly.

“This agreement has strengthened economic ties and facilitated access to Japanese development assistance. Balancing the development of both offshore and coastal fisheries is essential for sustainable socio-economic growth,” Minister Wong said.

First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Mr Takahashi Yoichiro, said the event marked more than the beginning of a construction process.

“It is a symbol of enduring friendship and strong partnership between Japan and PNG. NFC holds a special place in the history of the two countries, having been established in 1974 as Japan’s very first ODA project in PNG. The college has served as an important institution for education, training and human resource development. We are adding a new chapter to that history with this new project,” he said.

Director General for JICA, Mr Yoneda Gen, expressed appreciation to the Government of PNG, the National Fisheries Authority and all stakeholders involved for the strong partnership they continue to share.

“NFC has a central role in developing human resources for the fisheries industry. Today’s ceremony marks the start of new opportunities for skills development, employment and sustainable fisheries management. It is essential that this project is delivered successfully and on time, with all its objectives fully achieved, so that it can bring great benefits to the people and boost the fisheries sector,” Mr Gen said.

The groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of the construction phase in June 2026 and the project is expected to be completed in January 2028.