VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have agreed to resume cross-border trade activities.

"The plan to reopen the border has been discussed at a meeting between the two countries' officials at the Skouw integrated cross-border post in Jayapura," Head of the Border and Overseas Cooperation at the Papua Provincial Administration Suzanna Wanggai told Antara in Jayapura on Sunday.

At the meeting held on Thursday (May 20), delegations of both nations agreed to reopen the state border for cross-border trade activities on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The border will be reopened on June 21, 2021. Both nations are making preparations for reopening the border, including formulating rules on cross-border trade activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wanggai noted.

The cross-border trade must comply with the existing rules, including adherence to health protocols, she emphasized.

"Hopefully, it will run smoothly and comply with the procedure," Wanggai stated.

The border between the two countries was closed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, both nations were on the same page to open the border for the repatriation of migrant workers and residents that had recently completed their prison terms, both in Indonesia and PNG.

The reopening of cross-border posts will enable citizens of both nations to re-engage in trade activities in the Skouw market through stringent adherence to the COVID-19 protocols, she remarked. (Antaranews)