THERE is potential to increase Papua New Guinea抯 $US300 million a year bilateral trade with China, a visiting Chinese trade official said on Friday.
Zhou Xiaoming, counsellor with the consulate-general of China based in Australia, said the delegation was in the country to explore ways and opportunities to increase trade and Chinese investment in PNG.
He said the group had been impressed with the abundance of natural resources since their arrival on Thursday.
The delegation included representatives from Eastern China Airlines, China抯 largest shipping company the Cosco Group, China Chamber of Commerce in Australia, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and China Central Television抯 (CCTV) Sydney bureau chief Joe Wang.
Mr Xiaoming said Eastern China Airlines official met Air Niugini on Friday over the possible sale of a Chinese-made 15-seater aircraft to the flag carrier. He said the discussions were good and Air Niugini gave an undertaking to look at the aircraft.
He said the commercial office at the Chinese embassy had also put together a list of investment attractions in PNG that the delegation would give to their members on their return to Australia. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Australia would take the lead in negotiating possible ventures in PNG.

Post Courier