Port Moresby, November 13, 2007--- Today World Bank Vice President for the East Asia and Pacific Region, Mr James W. Adams, is wrapping up his 4-day visit to Papua New Guinea. Mr. Adams arrived on November 10 and is the most senior World Bank Group official to visit Papua New Guinea in recent years. The objective of the visit was to reaffirm the World Bank Group’s commitment to Papua New Guinea, the World Bank’s largest partner in the Pacific. In close consultation with the Government, the World Bank has recently prepared a new four year Country Assistance Strategy for Papua New Guinea. The Strategy, expected to be approved by the World Bank’s Board of Directors this December, opens a new chapter in the World Bank’s relations with Papua New Guinea and is designed to launch a long term partnership aimed at addressing immediate service delivery needs while tackling longer term institutional and accountability challenges. As part of the new Country Assistance Strategy, the World Bank is increasing concessional financial resources as well as technical and analytical assistance to Papua New Guinea, and will assist the country to access global and regional grant funds. The Bank is also expanding the staff of its Port Moresby office. Upon his arrival, Mr. Adams was warmly greeted at Jackson’s International Airport by senior government officials, including Secretary for National Planning and Monitoring Mr. Valentine Kambori, Secretary for Treasury Mr. Simon Tosali, Secretary for Public Works Mr. Joel Numa, Secretary for Transport Mr. Henry Parakei and a traditional singsing group. To better appreciate the development needs of Papua New Guinea, familiarize himself with the results of the on going World Bank program and meet people who have benefited from it, on November 11 Mr. Adams visited East New Britain touring the area affected by the 1994 volcanic eruption and inspecting port and market facilities in Rabaul and the health care centre in the Gelagela evacuee settlement constructed under the World Bank financed Gazelle Restoration Project. Mr. Adams also visited a newly commissioned bridge in the town of Kerevat, financed under the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Project. Governor of East New Britain Honourable Leo Dion hosted a reception to express the region’s appreciation for the World Bank’s assistance. In his trip to East New Britain, Mr. Adams was accompanied by Secretary for National Planning and Monitoring, Mr. Kambori. During the visit Mr. Adams stressed the need for sustainable, inclusive development. “It is important to ensure that the investments made so far are sustained and benefit communities in the longer term,” Mr. Adams said. “We hope that fiscal resources now available thanks to the Government’s prudent fiscal management and favourable commodity prices will be used to bring further tangible results for the people of the Gazelle Peninsula and Papua New Guinea overall.” On November 12 and 13, Mr. Adams paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister, Right Honourable Grand Chief Michael T. Somare and met with Deputy Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Puka Temu, Minister of Treasury and Finance Honourable Patrick Pruaitch, Minister for National Planning and Monitoring Honourable Paul Tiensten, Minister for Public Enterprise Honourable Arthur Somare, Minister for Communication and Information Honourable Patrick Tammur, Governor of Bank of Papua New Guinea Mr. Wilson Kamit, and other senior government officials. Mr. Adams also attended a meeting of the Ministerial Economic Committee to discuss the World Bank’s potential contribution to Papua New Guinea’s development priorities. Minister of Treasury and Finance Honourable Patrick Pruaitch hosted a dinner in Mr. Adams’ honour at the National Parliament’s State Function Room. Mr. Adams also held meetings with representatives of the private sector and attended a roundtable with the donor community. At the conclusion of his visit, Mr. Adams stated, “The World Bank is committed to a long-term partnership with Papua New Guinea and is moving to scale up its activities in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea. We are looking forward to the effective implementation of the newly prepared Country Assistance Strategy, which we hope will contribute to improved livelihoods of the people of this wonderful country.” Mr. Adams is leaving Papua New Guinea tomorrow, November 14, in the morning. For more information please contact: Washington DC
Elisabeth Mealey 1-202-4584475
Email: Emealey@worldbank.org Port Moresby
Dodi Doiwa 675-321 7111
Email: Ddoiwa@worldbank.org
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