goodmorningpapua.com – The Indonesian government and Papua New Guinea (PNG) agreed for reopening the border between the two countries especially for trade. The agreement was reached in a meeting held by two delegations of postal officials of the cross-country.
“The plan to open the border had been discussed in a meeting between officials of the two countries at the Skouw State Border Post (PLBN), Jayapura,” said Suzanna Wanggai, Head of the Papua Provincial Border and Foreign Cooperation Bureau, Monday (24/5).
Both delegations agreed that the reopening of national borders would be carried out twice a week every Tuesday and Thursday.
The agreement of the plan will be effective from June 21, 2021. To implement the agreement, his party is currently making several preparations, including preparing of regulations.
He added that the opening of trade boundaries must comply with all applicable regulations and health protocols related to Covid-19.
“Hopefully the implementation will run smoothly and in accordance with procedures,” hoped Suzanna Wanggai.
For information, the trade borders of Papua and Papua New Guinea have been closed since the spread of the corona virus recently.
Even though it was closed, several times the border was opened according to the agreement of the two countries for several purposes, for example the return of migrant workers (PMI) and residents who had just finished serving sentences in both Papua New Guinea and Papua.
Regarding the possibility of the opening of borders for citizens in the two countries, he said that until now it would still be discussed further since at the beginning it was only for the entry and exit of goods.
“Initially the government of PNG proposed three times a week but the Indonesian delegation stated that the initial stage was only twice a week and it was approved,” said Suzanna Wanggai.