Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has said Papua New Guinea was willing to give a special economic zone in the country for businesses from France.

Prime Minister Marape made this statement during a bilateral meeting with France President HE Emmanuel Macron at Palais de la Prefecture in Nice.

“We are willing to give a special economic zone designated only for France investments and industries,” he said.

The Prime Minister said he has reiterated to the President the advantage of Papua New Guinea’s geographical location linking Asia to the Pacific.

“We are placing PNG’s close proximity to Asia as a place for his businesses to find residence,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Marape said in their bilateral meeting, they had also discussed PNG products and France investments to develop in PNG.

Mr Marape said one such investment is TotalEnergies Company that is currently operating in the country through the Papua LNG project.

He clarified that President Macron has given his undertaking to work with the management of TotalEnergies to ensure that Papua LNG stayed on course.