The Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea, Loi Bakani, says the foreign exchange market is on track to return to normalcy. In an exclusive interview with Business Advantage PNG, he says the PNG LNG project has begun paying taxes for the first time, which is improving the Government’s budgetary position.
The Port Moresby Stock Exchange has new majority owners. So, who’s behind Pacific Capital Markets Development and what are their plans for Papua New Guinea’s bourse? In this exclusive interview, one of the Principals of Pacific Capital, Frank Dunphy, reveals all to Business Advantage PNG.
The 2019 Business Advantage Papua New Guinea Investment Conference will take place on 19 and 20 August at the premium Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, Australia.
LNG and oil prices have weakened but the cocoa price has strengthened. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly review of Papua New Guinea commodities and financial markets.
The Prime Minister Peter O’Neill gave an upbeat take on the Papua New Guinea economy when opening the APEC CEO Summit. He pointed to the need for consistent trade rules, strong engagement with civil society and the community, and a focus on the opportunities offered by the digital economy.
The Treasurer, Charles Abel, has handed down the 2019 Budget, revealing a 12 per cent jump in revenues and a 9 per cent jump in expenditures. He announced changes to the income tax threshold, and an increase in capital expenditure.
The Australian Government has announced plans to set up an infrastructure bank as part of a A$3 billion suite of measures aimed at countering China’s influence in the southwest Pacific and lifting its own engagement in the region. Regional analysts say the funds need to go to Micro, Small to Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as well as SMEs, and for small projects in remote areas.
APEC’s 21 Leaders gather in Port Moresby next week, the culmination of 10 months of officials’ meetings. Papua New Guinea’s APEC Ambassador, Ivan Pomaleu, tells Business Advantage PNG that making APEC useful for the country will require a long-term commitment.
Papua New Guinea’s Treasurer Charles Abel says Papua New Guinea needs to take a staged approach to integration with the global economy in order to avoid being taken advantage of. Speaking at an APEC discussion forum at the University of PNG, he said recent experience suggests the nation’s foreign exchange markets may be too open.
Following the successful launch of Papua New Guinea’s first sovereign bond, the International Finance Corporation is intending to issue a AAA bond as part of its efforts to deepen the financial markets in Papua New Guinea. John Vivian, IFC’s Resident Representative for Papua New Guinea, tells Business Advantage PNG that it can also assist corporate funding.