After 20 years building a successful transport company, Mapai Transport founder Jacob Luke is exploring ways to correct PNG’s trade imbalance with NZ, and providing training opportunities for young Papua New Guineans.
Industry sectors
Opportunities exist for brownfield expansion at the Hidden Valley mine, Johannes van Heerden, Chief Executive Officer of Southeast Asia for Harmony Gold, tells Business Advantage PNG. He believes this gives the company a competitive advantage in the region.
Copper and cocoa prices have eased sharply over the last month, while palm oil prices have surged. Gas and oil prices are largely unchanged and precious metals prices have eased. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly overview of commodity and financial markets.
Philippe Blanchard, Managing Director of Total E&P PNG – operator of the Papua LNG project – tells Business Advantage PNG that production for the project is expected to begin in 2022/2023. He says Total is using local labour and companies as much as possible.
Anitua’s independence strategy, known as the ‘Lihir Destiny’, for Papua New Guinea’s largest and most successful landowner company will continue under its new CEO, John Gethin-Jones. He tells Business Advantage PNG that key focusses are constant review of activities and staff development.
Credit & Data Bureau improving financial accountability in Papua New Guinea, says MD Bruce Mackinlay
The World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business singled out a new private credit bureau as having ‘improved the credit information system in Papua New Guinea.’ Bruce Mackinlay, Managing Director of the Credit & Data Bureau, tells Business Advantage PNG that the organisation is improving the country’s transparency and accountability.
Production at Crater Mountain’s High Grade Zone provided junior mining company Crater Gold Mining with the stability it needed throughout difficult market conditions and provided capacity for exploration. Managing Director Russ Parker tells Business Advantage PNG the past few years have been extraordinarily difficult for junior explorers to raise capital to exploit their assets.
Papua New Guinea’s High Commissioner to the UK, Winnie Kiap, tells Business Advantage PNG that the coffee craze in the UK offers huge potential for PNG growers and producers, especially after two successful trade delegations have boosted awareness.
The Chairman of InterOil, Chris Finlayson, says the company is considering an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada after a court upheld an appeal against the US$2.5 billion (K7.9 billion) sale of InterOil to ExxonMobil. Meanwhile, the man behind the appeal, Phil Mulacek, tells Business Advantage PNG he’s open to dialogue.
Becoming a market leader requires developing the right strategic intent, QBE’s Matthew Kearns tells Business Advantage PNG. That means understanding your company’s goals and value proposition, and planning effectively.