Australia's Minister for International Development and the Pacific is in Papua New Guinea this week.
Australia's minister for International Development and the Pacific, Alex Hawke. Photo: RNZ / Jamie Tahana
A release from Canberra says Alex Hawke is discussing priorities and his country's support for PNG's economic reforms.
In November, PNG secured an agreement with Australia for a $US300-million concessional loan to go towards budget support.
PNG Prime Minister James Marape said its interest rate of 2.5 percent was favourable for PNG and would help the country reform its economy.
The implementation of the loan is expected to feature in Mr Hawke's dicussions with PNG's Treasurer, Ian Ling-Stuckey, this week in Port Moresby.
Mr Hawke is also scheduled to meet with PNG's Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Sasindran Muthuvel, and Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Sam Basil.
PNG authorities are also discussing regional preparedness for the COVID-19 coronavirus threat with the visiting Australian minister.
During his visit Mr Hawke is to meet with members of the local business community and senior representatives of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
