The Papua New Guinea Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch has presented a record K16 billion national budget for 2015, but with an increased deficit of K2.272 billion.
Industry sectors
The two new players in Papua New Guinea’s TV industry this week began selling their set top boxes as they launched a total of 54 new free-to-air and pay channels.
Next month’s Mining and Petroleum Investment Conference in Sydney will take a critical look at how the industry can build on recent successful ventures in Papua New Guinea, as it deals with the global downturn.
Allcom PNG and mcr PNG have become the latest technology services companies in Papua New Guinea to consolidate after announcing a merger that will see the enlarged entity realise a number of operational synergies. Business Advantage PNG talks to Luke Byer, Managing Director of the new entity.
Sharing nearly 500,000 clients, Papua New Guinea’s micro finance industry is expanding its reach, its numbers and its services. Business Advantage PNG looks at what the industry is offering.
Puma Energy, which acquired the downstream assets of InterOil Corporation in Papua New Guinea in the the middle of 2014, is planning a major US$220 million upgrade of its Napa Napa refinery outside Port Moresby. According to a senior Puma executive, the upgrade will facilitate not only more reliable domestic supplies of petroleum products, but exports.
The province of Milne Bay is developing as a tourism hub for Papua New Guinea and also hosts agricultural and gold projects. Business Advantage PNG explores its business and investment prospects.
The Papua New Guinea economy is on the edge of a ‘slippery slope’, if the Bank of PNG finances government debt and continues to fix the exchange rate at too high a rate. Former Australian Treasury advisor Paul Flanagan says compounding the problems are rising inflation, falling foreign exchange reserves, and declining private sector credit growth.
Cott Oil and Gas Ltd has undergone a restructure to allow the company to focus on developing what could be Papua New Guinea’s first floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) project – at the Pandora gas field in the Gulf of Papua. Cott’s Managing Director Andrew Dimsey outlines the company’s plans to Business Advantage PNG.
National carrier Air Niugini is aiming to deliver more choice for Papua New Guinean travellers through the establishment of Link PNG, a new low-cost domestic subsidiary.