With Papua New Guinea’s soon-to-be-completed National Transmission Network likely to bring improved internet speeds and reliability by the end of the year more PNG companies are expected to explore the possibility of selling goods and services online. Andrew Wilkins looks at the potential for ecommerce.
Financial institution Moni Plus is preparing to list on the Singapore Stock Exchange. Managing Director David Kelso tells Business Advantage PNG that the company intends to expand its shareholder base and move into new markets.
The search for new business avenues sees Port Moresby’s Collins Shipping teaming up with Chinese maritime researchers to do a voyage to the bottom of the sea. And there’s the prospect of a new adventure tourism activity. Kevin McQuillan reports
Oil Search, Papua New Guinea’s biggest company and largest non-government employer, looks set to consolidate its position as a major player in the Asia Pacific oil and gas market with its $US2.2 billion purchase of InterOil. Chief Executive of Oil Search, Peter Botten, says it will allow the company to be ‘hugely influential in the further development of our world class PNG LNG and Papua LNG assets.’
The key to boosting the use of mobile phone banking services in the Pacific is ‘trust’ in the system, particularly as mobile phone providers themselves begin providing financial services, according to a new report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
PanAust has released its feasibility study into the Frieda River mine in Sandaun Province, claiming it is ‘one of the largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits in the world’, with an initial 17-year mine life. The company’s intention is to take a staged approach to development.
From self-service to bringing buyers and sellers together, software developer Shadrach Jaungere’s smartphone apps are making it easier for Papua New Guineans to do business. And there are more to come, reports Kevin McQuillan.
The hosting of the APEC Summit in Port Moresby in 2018 has sparked a flurry of investment in tourism infrastructure. It promises to kick start the country’s tourism industry as the nation’s capital gets more hotel rooms, airports are upgraded and a new tourism minister takes the helm.
France’s Total SA has confirmed its plans to commence construction for Papua LNG, the country’s next big liquefied natural gas project. Business Advantage PNG spoke with Philippe Blanchard, Managing Director of its PNG subsidiary, Total E&P PNG, to learn more about its race to start construction in 2018.
In an environment of plummeting interest rates, long term infrastructure investment is a sound option for both investors and governments. Financial and business commentator Michael Pascoe, speaking in Port Moresby last week, noted that the difficult global financial environment throws up opportunities for countries like Papua New Guinea.