Lae business leader warns of job cuts if forex problem not solved soon, Tourism Minister says PNG lags behind Vanuatu and Fiji in tourism spend, and 1,000 SMEs to close when asylum seeker centre closes. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.
A new Chief Financial Officer at Nambawan Super, and board re-appointments at City Pharmacy Group
The Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea, Loi Bakani, told this week’s Australia–Papua New Guinea Business Forum in Cairns that the bank is ‘determined’ to obtain more foreign currency ‘as soon as possible’ to address the backlog in foreign exchange demand. However, he criticised claims that PNG’s foreign exchange problem could be solved by allowing a free float of the kina, reports David James.
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.
The kina has fallen in value this year, but Papua New Guinea’s dependence on commodity exports means that it can be expected to fall further, says Rohan Fox, Lecturer and Research Fellow at the University of Papua New Guinea’s Division of Economics. He tells Business Advantage PNG that the country faces a difficult task managing the impact of sharp fluctuations in commodity prices.
Members of Central Supply and Tenders Board announced
BSP committed to IFC foreign exchange loan facility, PNG to have its first dairy farm, and Kina Asset Management investments up in first quarter. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.
E-commerce, empowering women in business and anti-dumping measures were highlights of last month’s APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) meeting in Port Moresby. Business Advantage PNG asked Douveri Henao, Lead Staffer for ABAC, for his response to the meeting.
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.