The suspension of a second mine in Papua New Guinea has highlighted the impact of the El Nino drought, which is also severely affecting the agriculture industry. Just how long the drought continues for will determine the long-term effects, according to Paul Barker, the Executive Director of the Institute of National Affairs.
Industry sectors
Pacific International Hospital, Papua New Guinea’s only private hospital offering advanced tertiary healthcare, continues to introduce medical treatment not previously available in the country at its new facility in Port Moresby. CEO Dr Amyna Sultan told Business Advantage PNG that the PIH is now focused on making this treatment more affordable for average families.
Work began this month to develop the Paga Hill Estate, at the iconic headland of Papua New Guinea’s capital city, Port Moresby. The development’s architect Paul Gallagher tells Business Advantage PNG the project will transform Port Moresby’s infrastructure and public accessibility.
A World Bank report says Papua New Guinea government spending should be curbed to avoid a possible ballooning budget deficit.
For more than 30 years, Finkewe Zurecnuoc has been a trailblazer for female engineers in Papua New Guinea. The PNG Power board member is now focusing on using her professional experience to help improve accessibility to power in remote areas.
International ratings agency Standard and Poor’s has revised its outlook for Papua New Guinea from ‘stable’ to ‘negative’. While maintaining PNG’s B+/B rating, S&P’s Director of Sovereign & Public Finance Ratings explains to Business Advantage PNG why there’s a one-in-three chance the rating could be lowered in the next 12 months.
Australian businesses eager to earn a dollar in Papua New Guinea should understand they need to be seen as committed long-term to the market to be successful, says Australia’s Senior Trade Commissioner to PNG, David Knapton.
As Papua New Guinea’s business community continues to face foreign exchange shortages, ANZ Bank has called for a relaxation of the enforced trading band for the kina. Meanwhile, analysts say the kina is facing further downward pressure from the US dollar.
The completion of the Kulum Flyover project proved that Papua New Guinea was capable of delivering significant road infrastructure developments at an international standard under tight time constraints. Lead contractor, New Zealand’s Hawkins Group, executed a project that provided a number of lessons for infrastructure developments in the future.
A shift in priorities continues at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) with the recently named PNG School of Business and Public Policy established to improve the performance of the public service sector in the country as part of the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.