Papua New Guinea : Pilot Border Trade and Investment Development Project

Industry and trade / Trade and services

West Sepik Province (WSP) developed into a dynamic growth centre.

The outcome of the Project will be the improved business environment in WSP.

New Border administration office complex and staff housing infrastructure completed in Oct 2015.

To promote the idea of a "One-Stop-Shop" for trade, investment and border processing, senior officals from selected border management agencies undertook a study tour in November 2015 to land border crossings of four Great Mekong Sub-region countries namely; Cambodia, Vietnam, Lao PR and Thailand. The team met and discussed with similar border agencies of the four countries.

The EA continues to support capacity development and institutional building of its staff and the WSP Administration staff through skills enhancement training and hands-on training by its consultants engaged under the Project.

PNRM advised the EA (March 2018) and the Government (June 2018) of Project Loan closing date of 30 June 2018.

The Project will produce the following outputs: (i) border facilities including customs, immigration, and quarantine facilities; resident housing, and markets; (ii) Investment policy legislation for WSP approved and made effective;(iii) Telecommunication strategy for WSP developed and approved by the Government; (iv) Border Development Authority (BDA) office in Vanimo becoming a one-stop service office for promoting trade investment, and tourism for WSP;(v) Human capital base in the areas of trade and investment promotion, business entrepreneurship and administration, information technology, and Indonesian language proficiency broadened and; (vi) Human development in terms of health and education improved in five border villages

(i) New Border Administration office complexes and 37 staff houses completed by October 2015.

(ii) The Investment Policy Advisor submitted the final Mid-Term Report to DCI and BDA in December 2012.

(iii) A telecommunication advisor submitted his final Study for Telecommunication Strategy for WSP to BDA and DCI in June 2011. Report recommendations presented to the relevant government agencies including the Project Steering Committee.

(iv) BDA established the provincial management office at Vanimo, WSP Provincial Administration with a Field Project Manager. PMO implementing the capacity development and Social Development Program (SDP).

(v) Under the Capacity Development Component, BDA has trained 192 locals from the five impacted villages on various entrepreneurial skills development training with (57 female). ADB approved BDA's 2017 training plan. Procurement of Institution to deliver Human Resource Management Course and Information Technology and Business Studies courses is completed. Contracts to be signed and courses will began early Q2. Procurement for Consultants/Institutions for the other training courses is in progress.

(vi) BDA, with the support of financial consultant, has developed Modified Conditional Cash Transfers (MCCT) guidelines to implement the Social Development Program. ADB approved these guidelines in July 2011. Implementation of the following five interventions under the SDP is in Progress. BDA revised the implementation process for several interventions to make them more community responsive.

(1) Power Connection for Wutung Village Household: Original scope of intervention was to supply and install MSKs. However, BDA found that all existing lines needed upgrading before private lines could be connected to the MSKs. To date, all 145 households have been connected to electricity

(2) Sanitation: The project will construct shared septic tanks and toilets to improve the environment and people's health. BDA purchased and transported the construction materials to Wutung. 8 blocks comprising 4 toilets and a shower are constructed. BDA is working with the LOs to complete construction of the remaining blocks. Through the LOs request, BDA is improving the water supply network which will supply water to the nearby villages and also the new border complex and housing areas. (3) Provision of School Fee Subsidy to at-risk children: Under this intervention, BDA provides financial assistance to at-risk children to encourage them to attend school up to grade 8. BDA has made payments to 488 at-risk children since March 2012. (4) Financial assistance to pregnant women for regular check-ups: Under this the project will assist pregnant mothers to go for medical check-ups. BDA has made payments to 22 pregnant mothers since March 2012. Due to the traveling distance and associated problems, the community has agreed with BDA to renovate existing aid post in the village to provide clinical facilities for the pregnant mothers and also the whole community. The design and scoping of the Aipost was completed in consultation with the health authorities. BDA to commence construction after confirming contract arrangements and land issues with LOs.