To remain impartial, the Papua New Guinea Government should not be a shareholder, but only maintain regulatory oversight of mining projects, according to geologist and mining consultant, Jerry Nombri Garry. He tells Business Advantage PNG, there are other ways for the country to derive healthy revenues from mining projects.
Loloata Island Resort in Bootless Bay, near Port Moresby, is getting a stylish makeover, with the help of the Papua New Guinean super fund, Nasfund.
Software entrepreneur Samson Korawali has helped establish five start-ups and a digital consultancy located in Australia and Papua New Guinea. He tells Business Advantage PNG that the country can greatly benefit from developing its online business capacity.
The operators of the Papua project are expected to make a financial investment decision on the project in 2019. But now that Papua New Guinea has ‘proven itself’ as a good manager of major global projects, it should be able to negotiate less generous terms with the operators of the second LNG plant, say economists and investment analysts.
A ‘cash culture’ in Papua New Guinea is beginning to change and there is more willingness to buy shares, according to Aiabba Minerals Executive Chairman and Managing Director, Moses Mondowa. He tells Business Advantage PNG it is a significant shift for the future success of the country’s resources and business sectors.
Oil prices are up and copper is also strong, but LNG has weakened. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly review of Papua New Guinea commodity and financial markets.
Vanuatu tourism officials want a joint approach with Papua New Guinea and Fiji to develop the lucrative inbound Chinese tourism market. As Vanuatu recovers from the effects of Cyclone Pam in 2013, Business Advantage PNG asked Vanuatu’s Tourism Promotion’s George Lapson and Bryan Death how Vanuatu is preparing to capture the China market.
Control of foreign fishing vessels in international waters is the biggest threat to the South Pacific tuna industry, according to James Movick, Director-General, Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. He tells Business Advantage PNG that plans to increase aerial surveillance will help detect illegal fishing.
House prices still remain out of reach for most Port Moresby residents, according to a report by the National Research Institute. It says that changing the approach to customary land has become necessary because state land is running out.
Access to land is preventing New Britain Palm Oil from expanding its beef and palm oil production businesses. PNG Country Manager Robert Nilkare tells Business Advantage PNG, there is a need to develop more agriculture leases in Papua New Guinea.