Business leaders are not quite ready to call it, but there are promising signs as Papua New Guinea celebrates its 50th anniversary of independence. Business Advantage PNG spoke with the country’s top CEOs to learn more about current business conditions.
Port authority PNG Ports Corporation is “re-conceptualising” Papua New Guinea’s ports into business and logistics hubs, beginning with the signature Westside project in Lae. A bullish Chief Executive Neil Papenfus outlines its plans to upgrade ports across the country.
One of Papua New Guinea’s major trading partners, Australia has continued to increase its support for the country’s economic development, especially in infrastructure. Business Advantage PNG asks Jon Philp, Australia’s High Commissioner to PNG, about the intent of Australia’s aid program in PNG and its priorities.
Delegates to last week’s 2022 Business Advantage Papua New Guinea Investment Conference received an overview of the plans of the new Marape government, as well as detailed economic updates and a range of briefings on opportunities across the country’s key economic sectors.
Infrastructure funding aimed at climate change mitigation and a new Pacific Engagement Visa are among the expected initiatives from the new Australian government elected last weekend.
This week saw the announcement of AUD$580 million (K1.45 billion) in financing support from Australia for Papua New Guinea’s ports. PNG Ports’ Managing Director Fego Ota Kiniafa outlines how the money will be spent and how the state-owned entity has managed the challenges of the past year.
Phase 1 of Papua New Guinea’s ambitious K20 billion Connect PNG infrastructure plan will see a focus on connecting capital city Port Moresby to the second city of Lae by road, according to the Department of Works and Implementation Secretary, David Wereh. Funding the work remains a challenge, however.
The three-day 2021 Business Advantage Papua New Guinea Investment Conference starts live-streaming at 9am on Tuesday 7 September. Andrew Wilkins, Publishing Director and conference host, Business Advantage International, outlines the reasons why this is the year to attend.
At a time when private sector investment is stalling, the A$2 billion [K4.96 billion] Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific is ramping up and targeting projects that will help drive Papua New Guinea’s economy.
The A$2 billion Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific aims to significantly boost Australia’s support for commercial infrastructure development in Papua New Guinea and Timor‑Leste. David James takes a closer look.
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