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.
A burgeoning middle class, an increase in expatriate workers and some entrepreneurial initiative is transforming the local cuisine. One of the more progressive developments is Pacific Palms Property’s Harbourside precinct, which will host up to six restaurants. Business Advantage PNG speaks to the General Manager, Andrew Potter, and Travers Chue, who runs one of the tenants—Duffy café.
In the first article in this two-part series, Jenny Hayward-Jones outlined seven key issues that confront Papua New Guinea’s emerging leaders. In this second part, she identifies the long-term trends that will challenge PNG and four areas of reform that would—if focused on—yield the greatest gains for the country.
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.
There are many challenges facing Papua New Guinea but which are the most critical to address first? In the first of a two-part series, Jenny Hayward-Jones outlines seven key issues that confront the nation’s emerging leaders. In the second part, she identifies which areas to target first. Trying to solve all of them at the same time, she believes, will not deliver the progress Papua New Guineans expect.
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.
The Bank of PNG has granted exemptions to some PNG insurance companies from the tight foreign exchange restrictions, to enable the general insurers to meet their reinsurance commitments to international reinsurers.