Improvements in Papua New Guinea’s mobile infrastructure has seen rapid recent growth in subscribers to mobile broadband, according to telecommunications researchers BuddeComm. But low incomes, terrain, and lack of electricity are hindering greater access more quickly.
The recovery by CPL Group from a devastating fire has been one of the more remarkable come backs in Papua New Guinean business. But Chief Executive Mahesh Patel tells Business Advantage PNG that there is still a long way to go.
Demand from the Asian region for natural gas will ensure that Papua New Guinea’s LNG industry remains robust in the medium term, David Lennox, xxz tells Business Advantage PNG. He says growing tensions about trade barriers may be beneficial for the country.
Research by the Fraser Institute shows that Papua New Guinea rates ahead of several Australian states for attractiveness for mining investment. Gavin Wendt, Founding Director of resource analyst Minelife, says statements from Kumul Mineral Holdings’ Chairman Peter Graham that it will invest in upcoming projects are also a positive for foreign investors.
Copper has weakened, but oil and gas prices are showing strength. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly review of Papua New Guinea commodities and financial markets.
A second major port in Papua New Guinea is expected to be completed in late 2019, says PNG Ports Corporation Managing Director, Stanley Alphonse. He tells Business Advantage PNG the K350 million project will include the greater Lae Tidal Basin Project and the Huon Industrial Park development in Lae.
Many businesses in Papua New Guinea are using the slow economic conditions to upgrade their computer systems, according to Steve Hillyard, General Manager in PNG for Pronto Software. He tells Business Advantage PNG that there is a reluctance to use cloud computing, however, due to network infrastructure reliability.
Papua New Guinea has some ambitious plans to expand its population’s access to electricity. However, boosting electricity supply across the country requires ‘some very clever thinking,’ say energy analysts.
The Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea, Loi Bakani, has told an APEC conference on improving financial literacy that the use of mobile phones for financial services is increasing sharply. But he said there is a need to strengthen consumer digital financial literacy and awareness in the country.
As Papua New Guinea moves into an era driven by technology, both business and the role of women in business are being transformed, Mollina Kapal tells Business Advantage PNG.