The Morobe Provincial Government is seeking to develop a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at the 1,400-hectare Wawin Farm in Huon Gulf District, with support from International Trade and Investment Minister Richard Maru, as it aims to transform the site into a manufacturing and agriculture hub.
Governor Rainbo Paita said the proposed Wawin Integrated Special Economic Zone is expected to generate more than 4,000 direct jobs while creating business opportunities and new revenue streams for the provincial government, which owns the land.
Paita said preliminary topographic and geotechnical surveys have been completed and the province is now seeking investors to develop the site.
He said eight investors have already expressed interest in locating within the proposed SEZ, including Leon Hardware and DataCo, which plans to establish a data center.
"The proposed SEZ will support the Marape-Rosso government's vision for downstream processing," Paita said.
Maru, who visited the site on Sunday and met with leaders from the Wampar local-level government, said he wants to see at least one or two special economic zones established in Morobe Province before the end of the year.
He noted that Papua New Guinea currently has four SEZs, all located in Port Moresby, and said the government is looking to expand the program to other parts of the country.
Maru urged the Morobe Provincial Government to complete the core requirements for an SEZ license, including road access, electricity, water supply, sewerage infrastructure and a master plan incorporating a township, before seeking Cabinet approval for the project.
He welcomed progress already made by the province, including a proposed 25-megawatt solar power project awaiting approval from PNG Power Ltd. and roadworks scheduled to begin this week.
"Wawin must not just be known for the National High School; it must be a major town in the future," Maru said.
