Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has commended Samarai-Murua District in Milne Bay Province for its fish export joint-venture with Thai company, Pornupphan 2018 Co. Limited, which is now supplying fish and other marine products on the international market.
The joint-venture is between the district’s fishing business, Kekeisi Limited and the company from Thailand, which launched its first fish export at the ARGO (TWL) Wharf in downtown Port Moresby aboard the fishing vessel FV Kekeisi, in the presence of 27 crew members. Of these, 17 are young Papua New Guineans and 10 are Thailand nationals.
The export is expected to earn approximately USD 107,000 for the district and its shareholders. From the sales, Pornupphan 2018 Co. Limited gets 49 percent while the district gets 51 percent. From the local portion of 51 percent sales for Samarai-Murua, 51 percent goes to former Misima Mine Workers Union and the remaining 49 percent goes to the District Investment company, Kubwuana Limited.
PM Marape said such business ventures will create more jobs and improve the lives of fishing communities in coastal areas and maritime districts like Samarai- Murua and other districts in the province.
“I am pleased to formally launch and officiate at the first fisheries export by the Samarai-Murua District’s fishing business company Kekeisi Limited. This milestone reflects a practical and forward-looking partnership between the district and an international fishing company, delivering real economic benefits to our people at the village level. This initiative complements my government’s policy direction to promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), create employment, stimulate local economic activity, and ensure that money circulates within communities. It demonstrates how districts can utilise their natural re- sources responsibly and productively for the maximum benefit of families who own those resources,” said PM Marape.
He commended the Samarai-Murua MP, Hon Isi Henry Leonard, for providing leadership that focuses on inclusive development. He said this project is de- signed to benefit many— local fishermen, women, and young people by enabling them to fish and sell their catch through a structured and sustainable commercial arrangement. The fishing project is funded through the District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) allocated by the Marape-Rosso Government. It is overseen by Kekeisi Investment Limited (KIL), the business arm of the District Development Authority, which was incorporated in 2024 under the Companies Act and registered as a formal fishing business entity. It has entered into a fishing business agreement with Thailand’s Pornnupphan 2018 Co. Ltd to support commercial fishing and export operations. Fifty-one percent (51%) of the shares are owned by the As- sociations of the former Misima Mining Workers Union, while the remaining forty- nine percent (49%) is owned by the Samarai-Murua District Development Authority.
PM Marape said this partnership enables skills transfer, compliance with inter- national standards, and access to export markets.
“I have consistently said, from Government we pass money to provinces and districts; leaders at those levels must identify activities that engage their people, especially our youths. If you are a coffee district, go back to coffee; if you are a timber district, go back to timber. I urge Governors and Members of Parliament to take leadership in their provinces and districts, link up with one an- other, and implement practical economic activities that support both the people and the national economy. Samarai-Murua stands out as a district that wants to work. It can be seen as a model for other districts. Let us not sit in Port Moresby doing nothing. We must engage with our people back home and lift them through fisheries, forestry, agriculture, tourism, and other productive sec- tors. This is where our people are,” said PM Marape.
PM Marape said, “I congratulate the Member for Samarai-Murua Open and reaffirm that my government will continue to support this program, including an allocation of an additional K5 million next year to further strengthen and expand the initiative.”
As a vast maritime district, Samarai-Murua has enormous potential in both commercial and subsistence fisheries. The objective of this program is to pro- duce and export seafood and fishery products from Samarai-Murua and Milne Bay to international markets.
The district has reached an important stage in achieving this goal, supported by strong collaboration with key government stakeholders, particularly the National Fisheries Authority (NFA). The NFA is assisting with the development of the Samarai-Murua Coastal Fisheries Project, and the necessary fishing licences have been granted to operate commercial fisheries within the district.
Through the DDA, a partnership arrangement was established between its business arm, Kekeisi Investment Limited, and overseas investors to undertake commercial fishing and export operations. This program directly supports local fishermen and women, contributes to the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and creates income-earning opportunities within the district and the province.
PM Marape noted, “The primary targets of this program are women, youths, and the majority of unemployed people in the district. By establishing fishing groups and supporting organised production, the program is stimulating MSME development and broad-based participation in the local economy. About this time last year, I launched the fishing vessel FV Kekeisi 1. Today, I have returned to launch the first export shipment, destined for international markets, marking the transition from planning to tangible economic returns,” added the PM.
Samarai-Murua District comprises four (4) rural local-level governments – Bwanabwana, Louisiade, Murua, and Yaleyamba. The main islands include the Sa- marai Group of Islands, Woodlark, Sudest, Rossell, and Misima. These islands are widely scattered across the Coral Sea and the Solomon Sea, making connectivity and service delivery particularly challenging.
PM Marape also indicated during the launch that his government is looking at improving the transport needs of maritime districts and provinces, just as it is connecting missing links under the ongoing Connect PNG Road and Highways Program.
“The Connect PNG Program is a strong initiative of my government, and I am confident that plans for coastal and maritime regions will continue to improve shipping infrastructure and connectivity. Too often, our people risk their lives at sea to access basic goods and services in main centres such as Alotau. Places like Budi and Rossell are remote and isolated, and access to government services remains a major challenge.
“The notable challenges of a maritime district such as Samarai-Murua include safety at sea, infrastructure development, jetties and wharves, communications, and access to alternative energy sources. Despite these constraints, the people of Samarai-Murua are resilient.
“We view our geographical and maritime challenges as economic opportunities. By leveraging our natural endowments and partnering responsibly with investors, we can create sustainable livelihoods and drive socio-economic development. This Government remains committed to supporting districts that take practical steps to empower their people through economic activity,” said PM Marape.
The Samarai-Murua District is a vast maritime district with huge potential in fisheries, both commercial and subsistence. The district plans to produce and ex- port seafood and fishery products from Samarai-Murua and Milne Bay to international markets.
PM Marape noted that the district has reached a significant juncture in achieving this goal, with support from relevant national government agencies and stakeholders, especially the National Fisheries Authority.
The National Fisheries Authority is supporting and assisting in the development of the Samarai-Murua Coastal Fisheries Project, and a fishing license has been granted to operate commercial fisheries in the district.