Building and construction

Demand for housing in Papua New Guinea is strong but there is a shortage of supply, according to the latest survey by Hausples, a Port Moresby-based real estate technology company.

The emerging middle class in Papua New Guinea is looking for better housing says Matthew Lewis, Managing Director of Hornibrook NGI. He tells Business Advantage PNG that the steel fabrication and building company sees great opportunity in the housing sector, despite currently difficult economic conditions.

Monier is Papua New Guinea’s largest producer of construction and building materials. In PNG’s demanding environment, a focus on quality has been key to its success.

Demand for residential houses among the growing urban population, especially in Port Moresby, has increased but the supply of quality and affordable houses has seen prices rise ‘exhorbitantly’, according to a new survey of the housing market by consultancy Niugini Land and Property.

The downturn in the Papua New Guinea economy has presented challenges for Avenell Engineering Systems (AES). But Managing Director Dominic Avenell tells Business Advantage PNG that the company has adapted well. AES is, he says, strengthening its capabilities and preparing for the next upturn.

In spite of the talk about an economic slowdown in 2016, Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, is a city where plenty is still happening as 2015 comes to a close. Business Advantage International’s Andrew Wilkins reflects on recent discussions with Papua New Guinea business leaders.

Work began this month to develop the Paga Hill Estate, at the iconic headland of Papua New Guinea’s capital city, Port Moresby. The development’s architect Paul Gallagher tells Business Advantage PNG the project will transform Port Moresby’s infrastructure and public accessibility.

The completion of the Kulum Flyover project proved that Papua New Guinea was capable of delivering significant road infrastructure developments at an international standard under tight time constraints. Lead contractor, New Zealand’s Hawkins Group, executed a project that provided a number of lessons for infrastructure developments in the future.

A decision on who will build a second K300 million berth at the Port of Lae is expected by the end of 2015 and construction due to commence in 2016, according to PNG Ports’ Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Alphonse. A new industrial park and an international operator for the port is also on the cards.

We’re the biggest company in Papua New Guinea you’ve never heard of, according to John Uthmann, CEO of PICSA Group PNG, and we are aiming to grow bigger.