Papua New Guinea gov’t says it won’t pay for 40 luxury cars

CANBERRA, Australia – The Papua New Guinea government has taken delivery of a fleet of 40 luxury Maserati cars to drive world leaders around during a summit next month, but has also assured the poor South Pacific island nation’s taxpayers that they won’t pay for the extravagance.

U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence and Chinese President Xi Jinping are among dignitaries expected to attend the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the capital, Port Moresby, on Nov. 17 and 18.

Papua New Guinea APEC Minister Justin Tkatchenko said in a statement Wednesday that the Maserati Quattroporte sedans, with a recommended retail price in the Unites States of $107,400, “are being committed to be paid for by the private sector.”

Tkatchenko’s office e did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for details.