The Government’s initiative to establish a coconut processing plant in Madang, in partnership with Sri Lankan firm Jaindi Exports, is progressing as planned, according to the Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru.
Minister Maru made the announcement following the weekend visit of Jaindi Exports’ Founder and Managing Director, Mr K.M. Sampath Anuruddha, and his team to the proposed site along North Coast Road in Madang.
Anuruddha said the company was satisfied with the 20-hectare site at Siar, owned by the Madang Provincial Government and located adjacent to RD Tuna Canners. He also highlighted the strong support from both the Provincial and National Governments. The company has committed to finalising the project design and plan by March 2026. A technical team from Jaindi Exports is expected to arrive in two weeks to collaborate with local technical experts to complete all technical aspects of the project.
Minister Maru explained that the joint venture aims to establish a fully integrated processing plant, where all parts of the coconut – including the fibrous husk, hard shell, white edible flesh, and coconut water – will be processed into finished products for domestic use and export.
During the visit, Anuruddha and his team met with local farmers, who expressed enthusiasm about the project.
“Labouring to make copra and selling it to copra mills for crude coconut oil will soon be a thing of the past. Farmers will have less labour-intensive work, earn higher incomes, and we will stop sending semi-processed exports abroad,” Maru said.
He added, “In future, only final products will leave our shores through this proposed processing plant. This is part of the Marape-Rosso Government’s deliberate plan to end the export of raw and semi-processed materials. This project will transform PNG’s entire coconut industry.”
Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa expressed full support for the project, adding that “We are excited to see this initiative take off. Processing our coconuts into finished products will maximise value, create more jobs, and encourage the industry to grow."
