Accessing customary land for development in Papua New Guinea continues to be a challenge, while difficulties remain with securing finance against that land. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, Maori landowners are forging ahead with joint ventures, using leases as security and pooling financial resources. Kevin McQuillan investigates how it’s done, in the first of a two-part series.
Papua New Guinea’s APEC year has started, with the first Senior Officials Meeting now under way in Port Moresby. Recent experience shows the year will be successful, according to the country’s APEC Ambassador, Ivan Pomaleu. David Toua, chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) says it is necessary to support globalisation.
Vanuatu tourism officials want a joint approach with Papua New Guinea and Fiji to develop the lucrative inbound Chinese tourism market. As Vanuatu recovers from the effects of Cyclone Pam in 2013, Business Advantage PNG asked Vanuatu’s Tourism Promotion’s George Lapson and Bryan Death how Vanuatu is preparing to capture the China market.
Control of foreign fishing vessels in international waters is the biggest threat to the South Pacific tuna industry, according to James Movick, Director-General, Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. He tells Business Advantage PNG that plans to increase aerial surveillance will help detect illegal fishing.
A well-managed economy and a 20-year vision are two reasons Credit Corp has set up shop in Timor-Leste. Country Manager, Chris Durman, outlines his own vision to Business Advantage PNG.
Greg Pawson, the newly appointed Chief Executive of Kina Securities, has said that the world economy is showing signs of recovery, which will have a positive effect on the economy. But he believes that Papua New Guinea still faces big structural challenges.
The long commodity bear market is coming to an end, according to Richard Yetsenga, Chief Economist for the ANZ Banking Group. He also observes that, in a world growing more sceptical about globalisation, there is growing competition for foreign direct investment.
While tourism is the mainstay of the Fiji economy, policymakers want to broaden the country’s income sources. Fiji’s Consul-General and Trade Commissioner to Australia, Zarak Khan says opportunities lie with business services, agriculture, forestry, textiles and renewables.
Chris Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer of the APEC PNG Co-ordination Authority believes sceptics about Papua New Guinea’s ability to host APEC will be proven wrong. The policy areas that will be emphasized are improving connectivity, creating sustainable and inclusive growth, and implementing structural reform.
The Solomon Islands economy has experienced steady growth over the last two years. Derek Aihari, Director of InvestSolomons tells Business Advantage PNG that the country is looking to develop its already close links to Papua New Guinea.