Lae does the biggest
p. 122 · Read in the full issue
business in P-NG
Lae has displaced Port Moresby as New Guinea’s major trading port. Last year (up to June) Lae’s total trade was $7O million, up $7 million; Port Moresby, $62 million, down $6 million; Rabaul, $53 million, up $6 million; Madang, $l9 mil lion, down $1 million; Wewak, $5 million, steady; Kieta, $5 million, up $3 million; Samarai and Kavieng steady at $4 mil lion and Lorengau at $1 million.
The many new industries intro duced at Lae and its position as gateway to the Highands, are the major reasons for the growth of the port. But lack of storage and shipping facilities are seen, says Jack Ashcroft-Smith, as a serious impediment to future progress.
From the preliminary import figures for 1969/70, indications are that Kieta on Bougainville will be the territory’s fifth major port in the current fiscal year.