Sustainable Highlands Highway Investment Program

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The Highlands region of Papua New Guinea (PNG) consists of seven landlocked provinces where approximately 40% of the country's population resides, most of whom are involved in rural smallholder agricultural production. Aside from abundant and underemployed labor resources, the region is endowed with agricultural and mineral resources which serve as an engine of growth for the national economy. Characterized by relative high levels of the national agricultural production of fresh produce and cash crops, mainly coffee, tea, and cocoa, the region contributes a third of gross domestic product; while the region's mineral and petroleum resources account for nearly 80% of national exports. The 1,200 km long 2-lane national Highlands Highway is the lifeline for the Highlands region connecting 1,800 km of regional and feeder roads and servicing the region's people particularly those in the rural hinterland. The highway traverses the Highlands region connecting it to the coastal provinces and the country's main port in Lae.