The Marape-Rosso Government has begun the mid-term review of Papua New Guinea’s National Trade Policy (NTP) 2017–2032, aimed at strengthening the country’s trade strategy in response to evolving global and domestic conditions.
The review, spearheaded by the National Trade Office (NTO) with support from the European Union Delegation to PNG, was announced by Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru.
The NTP, first launched in 2017 under the O’Neill Government when Maru was Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry, is the country’s guiding framework for promoting trade and investment.
Minister Maru said the review was essential to ensure the policy remained relevant and effective, saying “PNG’s trade performance and policy implementation over the past eight years need a thorough assessment so successes can be built and shortcomings addressed."
“The review will help PNG align its trade policy with recent domestic priorities such as the Medium-Term Development Plan 4 and post-COVID economic recovery, and external developments like environmental considerations, new market opportunities in Asia and evolving World Trade Organization rules," he added.
He added that the review would allow PNG to “adopt international best practices, foster stakeholder engagement, and ultimately ensure that trade policy remains effective and relevant.”
The mid-term review will focus on three core areas:
- A retrospective assessment to evaluate progress, effectiveness, and challenges in implementing the NTP.
- A prospective assessment to address current and emerging trade issues and recommend strategic adjustments.
- A review of the Strategic Implementation Plan to integrate findings and align with the new policy direction.
Minister Maru also outlined key issues for the review team to consider, including:
- Shifting from regional to bilateral trade agreements that better serve PNG’s national interests.
- Increasing emphasis on value-added exports and higher export taxes on raw materials.
- Introducing incentives for new export products, including support for certification and meeting international standards.
- Transferring tariff policy functions from the Department of Treasury to the National Trade Office.
- Considering legislation to improve the ease of doing business and ensure clear land titles for large-scale Special Economic Zone (SEZ) projects.
- Exploring measures to strengthen the kina, such as establishing a gold refinery and building national gold reserves.
- Leveraging artificial intelligence to facilitate trade and investment.
- Developing a new electronic Single Window System to replace the manual trade facilitation process.
The NTO will lead the review process, but Maru underscored the importance of wide-ranging consultations.
“The private sector and SMEs are being consulted to understand the on-the-ground impacts of the trade policy and persistent business barriers,” he said. “Civil society and academic experts can offer insights on inclusiveness like the impacts on small farmers or women traders and provide evidence-based critiques.”
He added that the review was an opportunity to realign the NTP with current realities, ensuring that its strategies remain “fit for purpose in the face of climate change impacts, advances in information technology, commodity price fluctuations, potential global trade disruptions due to US tariffs, and shifting investment patterns.”
The draft of the new National Trade Policy is expected to be presented to Minister Maru and the National Executive Council by October 15, 2025, for approval ahead of its official launch later this year.
