A rising middle-class in Papua New Guinea is seeing the emergence of a wider variety of food and beverage businesses, particularly in Port Moresby. It also reflects, say food specialists, an increasing demand for high quality food products in PNG.
Industry sectors
The developing retail environment in Papua New Guinea will soon include expanded duty-free shopping at the refurbished Jacksons International Airport.
The next 12 months or so is a time to digest and consolidate, says Peter Langslow, the incoming head of one of Papua New Guinea’s largest and oldest companies, Steamships Trading Company. He told Business Advantage PNG, however, it is also a time to prepare for fresh opportunities.
Liquidity conditions have emerged as a major source of risk for the PNG economy, as the central bank governor reveals he spent US$570.9 million (K1.48 billion) to support the kina last year.
The Asian Development Bank’s departing Papua New Guinea economist, Aaron Batten, says agriculture is the big winner with the current downturn in commodity prices, while its Country Director Marcelo Minc flags further bank investment in PNG.
Papua New Guineans aiming to start a small and medium enterprise (SME) have been buoyed by the revival of the previously successful Stret Pasin Stoa Scheme, which adds to the number of programs helping the country develop a small business sector.
The Port Moresby Stock Exchange will lose a major member next week, with the de-listing of New Britain Palm Oil (NBPOL). Meanwhile, another listed stock, Indochine Mining, has gone into voluntary administration.
Papua New Guinea’s potential as a market for ice cream will be put to the test when Laga Industries completes a significant expansion of its Gala manufacturing facilities in Lae later this year.
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Papua New Guinea’s central bank has moved to stop offshore foreign banks, which don’t operate in PNG, from foreign exchange trading in the Kina.