Jayapura, Jubi – The recent Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Border Trade Show held from Friday, December 15 to Sunday, December 17, 2023 at the Skouw Wutung border received positive acclaim from residents. Representatives from both sides, including the Papua Provincial Government and PNG’s Sandaun Provincial Government, expressed satisfaction with the event, emphasizing the significant participation of traders and citizens from various provinces and regions.
During the event’s closing, Susana Wanggai, Assistant II of Papua Provincial Government, expressed gratitude to attendees from Jayapura, Vanimo, Wewak, and Port Moresby, she highlighted the participation of small and medium enterprises (UMKM) and various investment entities, underscoring the cross-border economic potential.
The Consul of PNG in Jayapura, Geoffrey L. Wiri, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the trade show’s role in promoting regional products and fostering bilateral economic ties.
On the side of the participants, Emma Naugraick, President of the Women Coalition Business from West Province Vanimo, expressed delight in participating, advocating for the event’s continuity to encourage broader participation from different provinces in selling their handicrafts and clothing.
Moreover, Viron Ayomi, a third-semester International Relations student, seized the opportunity during the Border Trade Show, selling beverages such as coffee and chocolate drinks. Despite a slow start on the opening day, Ayomi observed increased sales during the weekend, attributing it to higher footfall on Saturday and Sunday. Some visitors, like Mama Bastiana from Jayapura, refrained from purchasing authentic PNG noken (traditional woven bag) due to its high price, opting instead for beverages and locally made sausages.
These interactions and commercial exchanges not only bolstered cross-border commerce but also enriched cultural exchanges, fostering hopes for the event’s annual recurrence and its potential to deepen economic cooperation, tourism, and cultural ties between the two nations. (*)
