With a new port, a new hospital and plans to redevelop Nadzab Airport, things are looking up for Lae, Papua New Guinea’s second-largest city. However, says Alan McLay, these developments highlight a shortage of land, and a need for more effective town planning.
Indonesia is the only country with which Papua New Guinea has a land border. This week, it elected a new President. So, just who is Joko Widodo, and what kind of neighbour will Indonesia be under his leadership? Business Advantage PNG’s Jakarta correspondent reports.
Worried about the impact of the new minimum wage? The agriculture sector and struggling businesses can apply to pay less than the latest increase, according to analysis provided to Business Advantage PNG by KPMG’s Port Moresby office.
Papua New Guinea’s largest sugar grower, Ramu Agri Industries, is adding value to its sugar harvest with new products. Business Advantage PNG spoke to General Manager Jamie Graham about its production of spirits and ethanol.
Papua New Guinea’s third telecommunications operator, bmobile, has signed a partnership arrangement with the global giant, Vodafone UK. Chief Executive Officer Sundar Ramamurthy tells Business Advantage PNG what the agreement means for the company’s operations in PNG and Solomon Islands.
Business ties between Papua New Guinea and Japan have strengthened following last week’s visit to the country by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Business Advantage PNG discusses the significance of the visit with the Lowy Institute’s Jenny Haywood-Jones.
Australian-based Kula Gold says the granting of a mining lease to develop its Woodlark Island Gold Project is a ‘milestone’, for both itself and the Papua New Guinea Government. The next step is to confirm financing for the project, Kula’s Chief Executive Officer Stuart Pether tells Business Advantage PNG.
Mobile phone provider Digicel PNG plans to launch its own multi-station television service later this year. The move is the latest in a series of strategic moves to transform the mobile phone company into a broader based media company in Papua New Guinea.
One of the biggest economic and social challenges facing the PNG government is jobs growth for its rapidly growing workforce in a post-LNG construction economy, according to the Asian Development Bank’s latest report card.
Australia is still Papua New Guinea’s largest trading partner and the country’s largest single source of investment. Business Advantage PNG speaks with Australia’s new Senior Trade Commissioner in Port Moresby David Knapton.