Hon. Richard Maru, BTech, MBA, OBE, is a visionary, nationalistic and development-oriented political leader and Member for Yangoru-Saussia District in East Sepik Province.

In his first Parliamentary term (2012 – 2017), he served as the Minister for Commerce, Trade & Industry. He put in place PNG’s first ever Trade Policy to enhance international trade and make PNG a competitive foreign investment destination. He led the Small to Medium Enterprise (SMEs) movement, laying the foundation for MSME growth through the SME Policy, credit guarantee corporation and reserve business list legislations.

Some notable achievements includes allocating funds for non-existent cancer facilities in Port Moresby and Lae and the establishment of PNG’s first ever commercial dairy farm through public-private partnerships so PNG can replace K400 Million per year dairy import. The District School of Excellence concept is his brainchild, a strategy aimed at improving quality of education in rural PNG and getting more students into STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics].

Prior to politics, Hon Maru was a corporate executive, being the Managing Director of the National Development Bank [NDB]. He resurrected the insolvent Agriculture Bank of PNG, rebranded to NDB and turned it around to growth and profitability in under 8 years.

He was also a senior business executive, having worked in Papua New Guinea and Australia in various capacities as senior manager, director and chairman of the board of directors across varied industries. He was awarded Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) Member in 2011 in recognition for his services in development finance.

Hon Maru holds a Bachelor of Technology in Business Studies degree from the PNG University of Technology and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Bath, United Kingdom. He is an Honorary Fellow – Institute of Banking and Business Management (IBBM].

Under his “action” leadership the Yangoru Saussia District has been transformed from an under-developed rural District to a modern service centre and agricultural economic hub in just under 10 years. That is the blueprint of making People First Party’s vision a reality.

From 2012 to 2020, Hon. Maru was a member of the People’s National Congress Party. He resigned in January 2021 and became the leader of People First Party.