The O’Neill Government’s recent decision to cease visas on arrival for Australian citizens entering Papua New Guinea will have an impact on business, according to a Business Advantage PNG poll.

The live poll (below) asks readers to state if the abolition of visas on arrival will affect their business. As of today, 64% of respondents say it will, while just 36% say it will not have an effect.

Furthermore, 40% state the effect will be ‘significant’.

According to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), around 19,000 visas on arrival were issued to Australians entering Papua New Guinea for business and tourism purposes during 2013.

The PNG Government’s decision, which excludes Australian tourists, is being seen as an attempt to encourage the Australian Government to provide reciprocal visa on arrival arrangements to PNG citizens visiting Australia.

‘Such polls are not meant to be scientific,’ notes Andrew Wilkins, Publishing Director at Business Advantage International. ‘But given Business Advantage PNG‘s readership is overwhelmingly business people with an interest in PNG, the poll at the very least indicates a significant level of concern.’

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