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.
Treasurer Charles Abel said the rise of China is creating opportunities for Papua New Guinea. But he also pointed to potential risks and a need to develop PNG’s relationship with Australia.
According to the Asian Development Bank’s May 2018 update, contracts for the US$800 million (K2.5 billion) multi-tranche funding to rehabilitate Papua New Guinea’s 430km highlands highway will be awarded between August and September.
Improved access to finance could the rapid development of solar power, according to Jon Pittar, Managing Director of solar provider, Solar Solutions PNG. If the government is to achieve its energy goal of giving access to power to 70 per cent of the population by 2030, he believes solar-powered systems must be provided to rural communities.
There is growing concern in Papua New Guinea’s mining industry that changes to the Mining Act will discourage investment in the sector. The Executive Director of the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, Professor Albert Mellam, has said the mining sector is ‘strongly opposed’ to the revised Act.
Berry Mini, President of the Southern Highlands Chamber of Commerce, told Business Advantage PNG last Friday that there is an increased security presence in Mendi, particularly in front of key commercial and government buildings. The state of emergency is also affecting earthquake recovery supplies.
ANZ Bank and Kina Bank have announced they have entered into an agreement for ANZ to sell its retail and commercial/small-to-medium-sized enterprise (SME) banking businesses to Kina for K24.2 million. Both banks claim the move is in line with their strategies.