PORT MORESBY (The National/PINA) — Australian Deputy High Commissioner Nicholas Coppel called for improved road conditions in Papua New Guinea if coffee growers are to be able to take their produce to market.
He announced, to much applause when opening the second Coffee Festival & Trade Fair at Goroka, that AusAID would be involved in funding the reconstruction of the Highlands Highway.
He also called for improved yields and quality so that growers could make more money.
Coppel was flanked by Bank South Pacific managing director Noel Smith and Australia New Zealand Bank deputy managing director Neil Merrick.
Coppel has been traveling the highway for several days starting from Lae to get a better feel of the real road condition and also to get views of the people along the way.
“The roads are not good, and if people cannot sell their produce, they cannot make money—it’s as simple as that,” he said.
“So we’re very happy to be able to support the re-graveling and sealing of the Highlands Highway,” he added.
