PNG Government-owned company Kumul Petroleum Holdings has sold its 10 per cent stake in Oil Search, with KPH Managing Director Wapu Sonk reportedly saying it lost A$322 million (K812 m) on the sale. However, stockmarket analyst David Lennox says overall the country has benefited from the process.
Oil prices are likely to remain volatile and LNG prices may head lower due to complex shifts in supply and demand. Other commodities seem more likely to be on an upwards trend, but the picture is patchy.
To deal effectively with China it is best to target second tier cities, David Thomas, Chief Executive of Think Global Consulting, told the Business Advantage Papua New Guinea Investment Conference in Sydney. He said the country’s GDP and middle class will double in the next decade, profoundly altering the world economy.
As demand for electric cars gather pace, Papua New Guinea’s Ramu mine is perfectly placed to be a big provider of the nickel and cobalt, both essential ingredients for these hi-tech batteries. Craig Lennon, Managing Director of Highlands Pacific told the Business Advantage Papua New Guinea Investment Conference in Sydney that both commodities are hot.
The kina is more than 20 per cent overvalued, according to Marcel Schroder, a lecturer in economics at the Development Policy Centre in the Australian National University (ANU), speaking to a joint University of Papua New Guinea/ANU event in Port Moresby. One option is to introduce a dual exchange rate for a limited time.
Oil prices have weakened, but copper has had an upwards run. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly review of Papua New Guinea commodity and financial markets.
Papua New Guinea’s foreign exchange problems are a symptom of an overly narrow industry base, according to a new report by the Business Council of PNG. It says the new government also needs to look at widening the tax base and improving infrastructure.
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.
Funding the re-opening of the Panguna copper mine is a key concern for a newly-formed Joint Committee of landowners, BCL and governments, says Bougainville Governor, John Momis. Independent analysts believe it is likely to come from one of the global mining majors.
A simulated gas processing plant has arrived in Port Moresby for use at the new Kumul Petroleum Academy, and is due to begin operating by September.