Oil prices have recovered and coffee and cocoa are both strong. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly review of Papua New Guinea commodity and financial markets.
Banking & Finance
Businesses in Papua New Guinea may be finding it hard to get foreign exchange, but credit quality within the domestic economy remains relatively healthy. Finance executives and analysts tell Business Advantage PNG that there has been only a slight deterioration of kina-denominated credit, despite the weak economy.
It has been a patchy month for energy prices and precious metals, while agricultural prices have been sharply weaker. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly review of Papua New Guinea commodities and financial markets.
Syd Yates, Chief Executive of Kina Securities, has announced that he will relinquish the role next month after 20 years with the company, with Westpac’s Greg Pawson joining the company. Yates tells Business Advantage PNG he believes it is time for new blood.
What do business leaders look for as signs of recovery in Papua New Guinea’s economy? In the second of a two-part series, Business Advantage PNG gets views from senior executives in finance, manufacturing and agribusiness.
Bank South Pacific, Papua New Guinea’s biggest bank, has made ts 2017 AGM shareholder presentation. Analysts say it indicates the bank is travelling strongly, but does face some risks.
The Papua New Guinea economy is gradually stabilising as it adjusts to the impact of the PNG LNG project, according to the Bank of PNG’s latest Monetary Policy Statement. Real economic growth is predicted to be 2.8 per cent, the kina has been steady, and the 2016 balance of payments was in surplus. But there are financial stresses, as David James reports.
Commodity prices were reasonably stable over the month and precious metals strengthened. But the weakness in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) prices continued. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly review of Papua New Guinea commodity and financial markets.
The lack of availability of foreign exchange is creating imbalances within the Papua New Guinea financial system, according to a report by Kina Securities. It says there is a build up of liquidity in kina, which may have implications for the financial strategies of domestic companies.
The economic risks faced by the three main commercial banks in Papua New Guinea are very high, says ratings agency S&P Global Ratings. But Associate Director Andrew Mayes tells Business Advantage PNG, credit risk is ‘well-managed’.