The APEC meeting in 2018 in Port Moresby will be a major boost for the country, David Toua, the President of the Business Council of PNG (BCPNG), tells Business Advantage PNG. Analysts say in the past benefits have been shown to outweigh the costs.
Economy & Investment
The big mover this month was palm oil, which was up 20.5 per cent for the month according to Kina Securities. Oil prices have continued to hold up but LNG prices have eased. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly overview of commodity and financial markets.
The IMF’s report on Papua New Guinea has suggested that the PNG Government has responded to pressures on the budget and foreign exchange shortages. But it says that more attention should be given to the deals offered to foreign mining companies.
The Papua New Guinea government is being ‘prudent’ in its approach to the Budget, according to the Asian Development Bank’s PNG Country Director Marcelo Minc and Country Economist Yurendra Basnett. They tell Business Advantage International that investment in non-resource sectors is required for the economy to progress.
Commodities markets appear to have entered a holding pattern, with stability evident in the oil market and metals. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly overview of Papua New Guinea’s commodity and financial markets.
Superannuation company Nasfund continues to deliver positive returns to its members, Chief Executive Ian Tarutia tells Business Advantage PNG. But weak economic conditions in Papua New Guinea, foreign exchange restrictions and rising unemployment mean the organisation has to be agile.
Sovereign wealth funds, private equity and ‘mega-families’ are showing a growing interest in investing in large resource projects, according to Graham Smith, Global Leader Mining M&A at KPMG Corporate Finance in Australia. The PNG Mining and Petroleum Investment conference was told that investment, debt and equity markets are showing signs of improvement.
Copper and cocoa prices have eased sharply over the last month, while palm oil prices have surged. Gas and oil prices are largely unchanged and precious metals prices have eased. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly overview of commodity and financial markets.
Papua New Guinea has an improving current account, says Cameron Bagrie, New Zealand Chief Economist for the ANZ Bank. But he says if the financial imbalances are to be dealt with effectively, there needs to be a plan for fiscal consolidation and attention to small details at the microeconomic level.
Papua New Guinea’s High Commissioner to the UK, Winnie Kiap, tells Business Advantage PNG that the coffee craze in the UK offers huge potential for PNG growers and producers, especially after two successful trade delegations have boosted awareness.