In brief: Maru wants Papua New Guinea-Fiji trade dispute resolved by October, and other business stories

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Trade Minister Richard Maru wants trade issues with Fiji resolved this month, UBS buys into Kina Securities, and ANZ offers debit cards in PNG.

In brief: BSP in joint venture with Kumul to expand insurance subsidiary, and other business stories

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A new insurance joint venture, an ultimatum on corned beef trade ban, plans to limit rice imports. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.

In brief: Papua New Guinea preparing to refinance Oil Search share loan, and other business stories

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Banks vie to renew government’s loan for shares in Oil Search, structural faults in Phase One of new Lae port, OK Tedi to resume operations next month. Your weekly roundup of the latest business news.

Reaction to Papua New Guinea’s 2016 Budget: necessary cuts but still some challenges, say experts

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The Papua New Guinea Government has made tough decisions in its 2016 Budget to avoid a cash and macroeconomic crisis. Business Advantage PNG talks to some experts on how the budget measured up to expectations, and what is still needed.

Opinion: falling LNG revenues require a new strategy for the Papua New Guinea economy

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The fall in global oil and gas prices will reduce the Papua New Guinea government’s revenue by at least K1.1 billion in 2016. A new Budget strategy is needed, argue economists Stephen Howe and Paul Flanagan, who suggest a solution may lie in the government selling its Oil Search shares.

In brief: Pruaitch delivers record Budget and other business stories

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Record 2015 Budget and higher deficit, Sime Darby happy with 51% of New Britain Palm Oil and Marengo Mining raises funds for drilling program. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.

Central bank governor defends pegging of kina, and other business stories

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Central bank governor says economic stability dependent on kina pegging, Panguna landowners support re-opening of gold and copper mine, and 2015 Budget may be a deficit budget with ‘no significant strategic changes’. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.

Elk/Antelope gas fields: what’s really going on?

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The jockeying for positions in what could be Papua New Guinea’s second liquefied natural gas project has taken a surprising turn, with Oil Search purchasing Pac LNG’s holding in the Elk and Antelope gas fields in Gulf Province.