Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Border Trade Reopens Post Restriction
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24 May 2021 08:53 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian and Papua New Guinea administrators on Sunday have agreed to reopen border trade after it was initially closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
Citing Antaranews, Head Papuan government borders and foreign affairs partnership bureau, Suzanna Wanggai, on May 23 said that “Plans to reopen the border had been discussed in a meeting between the two countries at the Skouw border post in Jayapura.”
Delegates from the two countries in the meeting that took place on Thursday, May 20, agreed to reopen border trade twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which will effectively start on June 21.
The meeting mainly discussed the health regulations of the deal as the global Covid-19 pandemic still poses a threat. The border between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea had been opened several times during the pandemic for migrant workers and for those who completed their sentences.
“The implementation will hopefully run smoothly and abide by the agreed procedures,” said Suzanna to Antara.
Further discussion about the reintroduction of border trade will be held again in the near future, she said.
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