The Australian Government has announced plans to set up an infrastructure bank as part of a A$3 billion suite of measures aimed at countering China’s influence in the southwest Pacific and lifting its own engagement in the region. Regional analysts say the funds need to go to Micro, Small to Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as well as SMEs, and for small projects in remote areas.
APEC’s 21 Leaders gather in Port Moresby next week, the culmination of 10 months of officials’ meetings. Papua New Guinea’s APEC Ambassador, Ivan Pomaleu, tells Business Advantage PNG that making APEC useful for the country will require a long-term commitment.
Papua New Guinea’s Treasurer Charles Abel says Papua New Guinea needs to take a staged approach to integration with the global economy in order to avoid being taken advantage of. Speaking at an APEC discussion forum at the University of PNG, he said recent experience suggests the nation’s foreign exchange markets may be too open.
Following the successful launch of Papua New Guinea’s first sovereign bond, the International Finance Corporation is intending to issue a AAA bond as part of its efforts to deepen the financial markets in Papua New Guinea. John Vivian, IFC’s Resident Representative for Papua New Guinea, tells Business Advantage PNG that it can also assist corporate funding.
The Papua New Guinea government is planning to sharply increase its economic stimulus, according to the Medium Term Development Plan III. It envisions a ‘strategic shift’ in Budget allocations.
The US$500 million sovereign bond raising will improve foreign exchange cash flows, according to Robin Fleming, Chief Executive of Bank South Pacific. He tells Business Advantage PNG that it represents an ‘important milestone’ for Papua New Guinea’s financial system.
The success of Papua New Guinea’s first US$500 million bond issue will depend on the government’s spending focus, according to Paul Barker, Director of PNG’s economics research think tank, the Institute of National Affairs. He tells Business Advantage PNG that the private sector has to get access to foreign exchange because of extended delays.
In the second half of his exclusive conversation with Business Advantage PNG’s Andrew Wilkins, the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says the policies developed at the APEC Leaders meeting will have a lasting impact on the country. He says APEC marks a unique opportunity to market PNG as an investment destination.
Oil and LNG prices are showing strength but cocoa and palm oil prices price have weakened. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly review of Papua New Guinea’s commodity and financial markets.
The Asian Development Bank will start redeveloping the entire Highlands Highway simultaneously rather than doing it in sections, according to David Hill, Country Director for the ADB. He outlined the ADB’s focus on improving both physical and digital connectivity in Papua New Guinea.