Minister for Immigration and Border Security William Bando has called for stronger cooperation between government agencies and the private sector to strengthen border integrity while supporting legitimate trade and travel.
While speaking and officially opening the 9th PNG Customs Business Consultative Forum (CBCF) in Port Moresby last week, the Minister stressed that Papua New Guinea's borders are fundamental to both national security and economic growth.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister Bando challenged forum participants to consider the vulnerabilities that continue to exist across the border environment.
"There is a lot of infiltration. There are a lot of people that seem to think that they can walk in and walk out as if this is a hotel, rooms that they can check in and check out at any time they want,” the Minister stated.
He reminded stakeholders that protecting the country's borders is a shared responsibility and is critical to maintaining sovereignty and public confidence.
"This is a sovereign country. Strong borders give honest businesses the confidence to invest, protect public revenue, and uphold fair competition. Our goal is simple: legitimate trade and travel should move with greater speed and certainty, while high-risk activity faces firm and effective control."
Minister Bando said the forum provides an important platform for government agencies and industry to work collectively on solutions that improve border management and trade facilitation.
He urged border agencies and regulatory authorities to strengthen cooperation, improve information sharing, and adopt a more coordinated approach to addressing border-related challenges.
As part of the forum discussions, the Minister tasked participants with developing practical outcomes that can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of border operations.
These include producing a joint action agenda with clear responsibilities and measurable targets, establishing regular consultation and reporting mechanisms between government and business, and identifying immediate administrative reforms that can reduce costs and improve service delivery without waiting for legislative changes.
He also called on stakeholders to identify ways to modernize border processes by eliminating unnecessary paperwork, reducing duplicate information requirements, and minimizing avoidable physical interactions through improved systems and procedures.
In addition, he encouraged stronger engagement with border communities and provincial authorities to help address vulnerabilities and strengthen compliance efforts.
The Minister highlighted ongoing digital transformation initiatives being pursued across border agencies like Customs and Immigration, that includes digital identity verification, electronic travel processing systems, and enhanced operational coordination mechanisms aimed at improving efficiency, security, and the protection of personal information.
The two-day PNG Customs Consultative Forum brings together government agencies, business representatives, and other stakeholders to discuss practical measures that strengthen border management, facilitate legitimate trade, and improve collaboration across the border sector.
Authorized by
David Towe
Chief Commissioner of Customs