The Commissioner-General of the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC), Betty Palaso, has announced a temporary tax amnesty for business in Papua New Guinea. Penalties that would normally be imposed by the IRC on late lodgement of annual tax returns and late payments will not be applied for the rest of 2017.
The National Central District has launched an urban development program, which will run into the middle of next year. Governor of Port Moresby, Powes Parkop, said he will be looking to upgrade Port Moresby’s settlements and explore ways to offer residents title.
A shift in the resources industry is expected, with demand for more “exotic” minerals increasing. But Justin Smirk, Senior Economist at Westpac Institutional Bank tells Business Advantage PNG that industry players must apply a long-term and holistic approach to reap the benefits.
Proposals for investment in Papua New Guinea’s forestry sector are almost as high as in its mining and petroleum sector, according to figures from the Investment Promotion Authority. The IPA has also flagged a crackdown on compliance.
Home building in Papua New Guinea is set to accelerate sharply, according to Matthew Care, Chief Executive and founder of the real estate website Hausples.com.pg, which has an expo in Port Moresby this weekend. He tells Business Advantage PNG that the growth is being driven by pent-up demand.
The Asian Development Bank has begun its decade-long US$1 billion investment in the Highlands Highway, according to David Hill, the bank’s Country Director for PNG. He says the ADB is also planning significant investment in the health and civil aviation sectors.
LNG prices have surged but oil prices are stable, while cocoa prices are up but coffee is down. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly review of Papua New Guinea commodities and financial markets.
The Papua New Guinea economy is unlikely to rebound strongly before 2020, according to a report by the World Bank. It forecasts steady, but unspectacular, growth.
The National Government has issued a Supplementary Budget to deal with the fiscal and economic issues facing Papua New Guinea. Economic commentators tell Business Advantage PNG that it is a tough budget, but flag that more measures may be needed.
Leading financiers have called for better international marketing of the country’s financial system and assets. They told the Business Advantage Papua New Guinea Investment Conference, that it is an important step towards creating more mature financial markets.