Despite the focus on improving Papua New Guinea's fisheries industry through tuna canneries operating in the PMIZ, Business Advantage PNG reported O'Neill saying it will also cater to on-shore processing companies and firms requiring the use of modern wharf facilities and infrastructure related to the development.
He also said PNG was aiming to become the Pacific's tuna processing hub, surpassing Thailand and the Philippines.
Fisheries Minister Mao Zeming said the government's policy specifying that fish caught in PNG waters must be processed in the country will be introduced next year and expected PMIZ to host nine canneries by 2018.
RD Tuna Canners CEO Pete Celso was reported saying the new facilities in Madang would complement Lae's port, and be a closer destination for agricultural products from the Highlands.
It is also close to the Ramu nickel project's Kurumbukari mine site and the Basamuk refinery.
