The latest business news from Papua New Guinea and the region
Unrest in Papua New Guinea’s second city, Lae, has caused major disruptions for the city’s business community this week. Fortunately, as Lae Chamber of Commerce President Alan McLay told Business Advantage PNG, Lae has avoided serious damage and things are now returning to normal.
The message from the New Caledonia Business Lunch in Sydney, Australia, on 4 November was that there are plenty of opportunities for international service providers in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia.
The ongoing restructure of Airlines PNG Ltd has provided the company with an opportunity to refresh its brand, starting significantly with a change of its name to PNG Air. Chairman Murray Woo tells Business Advantage PNG more about the rebranding.
Yesterday, Papua New Guinea’s Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch presented both the 2016 National Budget and a Supplementary Budget for 2015. Both budgets – highly anticipated given the PNG Government’s need to address lower revenues – make cuts to projected expenditure and find additional revenue resources in order to keep the budget deficit under control.
Pacific Marine Industrial Zone construction to start this month, personnel emoluments overruns costing PNG millions, and Newcrest Mining delivers profit. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.
The entry of the global French-based energy giant, Total SA, has prompted the first French-only trade delegation to Papua New Guinea, which will visit Port Moresby and Lae next week. Delegation Leader, Arthur Lenoir, explains the rationale for the trip to Business Advantage PNG.
Despite being the biggest Pacific nation, PNG is lagging behind its neighbours, holding only 10% of the regional tourism market, says the Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea, Loi Bakani. And on a global scale, PNG ranks last in terms of benefitting economically from tourism.
Pacific International Hospital, Papua New Guinea’s only private hospital offering advanced tertiary healthcare, continues to introduce medical treatment not previously available in the country at its new facility in Port Moresby. CEO Dr Amyna Sultan told Business Advantage PNG that the PIH is now focused on making this treatment more affordable for average families.
A World Bank report says Papua New Guinea government spending should be curbed to avoid a possible ballooning budget deficit.
Singapore company aims to recapitalise and restart Tolukuma gold mine, NPCP to contribute K450 million to Supplementary Budget, and PNG Defence Force ventures into business. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.