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.
Papua New Guinea is taking a multi-pronged approach to its energy provision. Business Advantage PNG takes a look at the nation’s approach to meeting its power needs.
Bank South Pacific purchased the National Bank of the Solomon Islands 10 years ago this year. David Anderson, BSP’s country manager in the Solomon Islands, shares a 2017 overview of the country’s economy with Business Advantage PNG.
Monier is Papua New Guinea’s largest producer of construction and building materials. In PNG’s demanding environment, a focus on quality has been key to its success.
IT analysts and industry insiders tell Business Advantage PNG that the Papua New Guinea Government’s decision to merge bmobile and PNG DataCo under a Telikom PNG renamed Kumul Telikom is likely to increase competition and innovation. But the move will not be without challenges.
The operator of the second Papua New Guinea LNG project says overcoming technical and environmental issues will determine if Total joins the existing PNG LNG trains. Managing Director, Philippe Blanchard, says a decision will be made within the next 5-6 months.
A major reform will see all Papua New Guinea’s state-owned telecommunications companies grouped under a single board for the first time. The Chairman of the new-look Kumul Telikom, Mahesh Patel, speaks exclusively to Business Advantage PNG about his board’s priorities for increased competition and ‘slashed’ internet prices.