Papua New Guinea (PNG) has officially invited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to provide the capital and technology needed to overhaul its manufacturing and energy sectors.
Prime Minister James Marape formalized this partnership following high-level talks in Dubai with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The deal, anchored by a new mutual visa-waiver agreement, aims to transform PNG into a high-tech regional hub by leveraging the UAE's expertise in logistics and sustainable systems.
The partnership is a massive change for Papua New Guinea as it is moving away from just selling raw materials. The country wants to start an ‘Economic Reset.’ PNG is looking for more than just capital from UAE investors. The nation wants to learn how to use new systems to improve manufacturing and the global supply chain. Dubai used these same methods to become a global leader.
According to the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council, Prime Minister Marape stated, "Our proposition is simple. From Papua New Guinea, investors can reach some of the world’s fastest-growing markets that are close to us geographically."
Currently, PNG is experiencing difficulty in producing goods for sale as rural areas use outdated tools. The UAE is knowledgeable in ‘smart cities’ and solar power generation, as it has already used a $50 million fund for green energy in the Pacific. This expertise will help rural PNG farmers connect to global markets.
The "technology and systems" Marape referenced include:
Precision Agriculture: Drip irrigation and soil sensing technologies to boost crop yields in the Highlands.
Renewable Energy Grids: Decentralized solar and wind solutions to power remote manufacturing hubs.
Digital Governance: Implementing secure digital IDs and blockchain-based supply chain tracking for PNG’s fisheries and timber.
This agreement is a plan for PNG's future. By 2027, UAE-backed hubs could make doing business in PNG much cheaper. Local workers will learn how to use new technology and move away from simple manual labor. The initial talks begin this month with the goal of seeing if these high-tech systems operate well in PNG’s environment.