The latest business news from Papua New Guinea and the region
Papua New Guinea Sustainable Development Program Limited has been under heavy political pressure to relinquish is majority ownership of PNG’s largest mine, Ok Tedi. In this speech, delivered at the announcement of the company’s 2012 annual report this week, PNGSDP Chairman Sir Mekere Morauta appears to concede the loss of Ok Tedi, arguing for a sale on fair terms, and ponders both the future of PNG’s largest mine, and his own organisation.
Papua New Guinea’s economic growth and low debt has pleased international credit rating agency Moody’s, although local businesses and financial institutions will be largely unaffected by its latest rating.
Papua New Guinea has passed new laws increasing the penalties for white-collar crime, as it revived the death penalty for crimes such as aggravated rape, pack rape, or where the victim is a child under 10 years of age.
Indonesia and Papua New Guinea have ratified their double taxation treaty, in a sign of developing closer economic relations.
State utility PNG Power has been authorised to start negotiations with Hong Kong-based liquefied gas and power company, Energy World Corporation, to build a new 30MW-to-80MW diesel and gas-fuelled power plant in Port Moresby.
Papua New Guinea’s much-anticipated second gas project could turn out to be an extension of its first, as ExxonMobil commences exclusive negotiations with InterOil and Pacific LNG.
Japanese investment in Papua New Guinea’s gas resources has increased, with Japan’s second largest gas company buying a 40% stake in Australia’s Horizon Oil, which has an interest in several PNG petroleum leases.
The Papua New Guinea Government plans to have a trade representative located in Jakarta from next year, as it seeks to boost trade and business links with neighbouring Indonesia.
Papua New Guinea’s largest bank, BSP, has joined PNG’s growing mobile wallet market, with the launch last week of Wantok Moni.
The next six months is a ‘highly vulnerable period’, according to the latest market outlook from Papua New Guinea finance company and stockbroker, Kina Securities Ltd.