PNG and Indonesia strengthen ties at annual Border Fair Trade Show

Indonesian's walk through the street of stalls at the fair (Image: Supplied)

The annual Border Fair Trade Show between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia was held this week at the Wutung Border Post.

This year’s theme, “From Border to Bridge,” highlights the two countries’ commitment to building stronger ties in trade, education, health, cultural preservation, tourism, and other important areas.

The Border Fair Trade Show, running from October 9 to 12, was officially opened by the Republic of Indonesia’s Ambassador to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, Andriana Supandy; First Secretary to the Governor of Papua Province, Joanes Walilo; PNG Consulate General to Indonesia, Geoffrey Wiri; Indonesia Consulate to PNG; and Sandaun Provincial Administrator, Jacob Areman.

The land border between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea is not only a mark on the map, it is rather home to a thousand tribes, different cultures and traditions, different languages, but home to beautiful tourist destination also shared by the people of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, where this Border Fair Trade Show can promote.

From Left PNG Consulate General to Indonesia, Geoffrey Wiri, Indonesian Ambassador to PNG and Solomon Islands, Andriana Supandy, First Secretary for Papua Government Indonesia, Joanes Walilo, and Sandaun Provincial Administrator Jacob Areman, after officially opening the Border Trade Fair Show 2025

Sandaun Provincial Administrator Jacob Areman said, "Our Border is not a line that divides us but joins us as economic archery waiting to pump prosperity into both our communities."

" For generations, both sides of this boundary have shared traditions, exchanged goods, and built personal bonds. This Fair Trade Show formalises these relationships."

He added that the Sandaun Provincial Administration will fully support the Trade Show, targeting three main areas, which are Facilitating Business to Business Connection, Embracing Regulatory Cooperation, and Promoting Local Products and Innovation.

Indonesia's Ambassador to PNG Andriana Supandy said Indonesia has always been a close friend to Papua New Guinea, this is evidenced by the close relations between PNG's border villages with Indonesia, government relations, trade, including shared cultures and traditions.

A West Papuan woman sells her woolen bags (Image: Supplied)

Indonesia's commitment to Papua New Guinea is deeper than just a bordering neighbor. It stresses further to address issues that men, women, and children face. As proof of this, Indonesia continues to provide development assistance in such fields as health, education, sanitation, public services, and disaster relief.

Ambassador Supandy noted that through this commitment, Indonesia has supported the Port Moresby General Hospital in renovating and modernising the Intensive Care Unit as well as the Mortuary Facility
"Also, we have assisted at the Wutung Primary School, Sanitation Facility, and Fire Service Station in Vanimo, as well as other projects underway," said Ambassador Supandy

Representing the Government of the Papua Province of Indonesia, First Secretary to the Governor Joanes Walilo welcomed all to the Trade Show stating Papua's Government support on the show and hoping for best business to business partnership between the two provinces and countries as whole.

The PNG - Republic of Indonesia Border Fair Trade Show happens annually at the Wutung Border Posts in Vanimo to forge trading relations with the people of West Sepik, East Sepik, including other Provinces in Papua New Guinea with the People of Papua Province of Indonesia.