Papua New Guinea has a high level of mobile phone penetration, but Tony Westaway, Chief Executive of MiBank, believes the country has significant barriers to overcome if it is to achieve optimum financial inclusion in the digital age. He outlines some of the issues to Business Advantage PNG.
The Pacific’s three biggest banks: Bank South Pacific, ANZ and Westpac have distinct approaches to the Pacific region. Their top executives outline their strategies to Business Advantage PNG
Demand for housing in Papua New Guinea is strong but there is a shortage of supply, according to the latest survey by Hausples, a Port Moresby-based real estate technology company.
Cross-industry collaboration and help from the Papua New Guinea government are required to get the most out of the gas in Western Province, David Lester, Chief Office Representative for Repsol PNG tells Business Advantage PNG.
The fall in global commodity prices has had a negative impact on Papua New Guinea’s economy. However, as Andrew Wilkins discovers in his annual economic update on PNG, adjustments have been made and 2017 looks likely to be a year of preparation for better times.
The provisional program for the 2017 Papua New Guinea Investment Conference has been released, highlighting business opportunities across PNG’s economy. The conference will be organised by the publisher of www.businessadvantagepng.com, and will be held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney, Australia, on 7 and 8 September.
It has been a bad month for most commodity prices, but not precious metals. The weakness in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) prices has continued, with the price falling sharply over the last month. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly review of Papua New Guinea commodity and financial markets.
The emerging middle class in Papua New Guinea is looking for better housing says Matthew Lewis, Managing Director of Hornibrook NGI. He tells Business Advantage PNG that the steel fabrication and building company sees great opportunity in the housing sector, despite currently difficult economic conditions.
The long-awaited Pacer-Plus Pacific trade agreement is expected to be signed in early June, after the 14 Pacific countries concluded their talks in Brisbane last week. But Papua New Guinea and Fiji have said they will not participate. Business Advantage PNG asked World Trade Organisation negotiator, Edwini Kessie, what PNG is missing out on.
High debt and deficit levels are why the ratings agency S&P has kept its Papua New Guinea country rating at B+/B, with a negative outlook. S&P Director, Craig Michaels, tells Business Advantage PNG higher commodity prices are the key to lifting the rating.