The Bank of Papua New Guinea’s latest Quarterly Economic Bulletin points to a ‘slight improvement’ in economic activity in the September quarter driven by higher government expenditure and a marginal increase in private sector lending. It records an improvement in exports and commodity prices and a slowing in the increase of inflation, but lower employment levels.
Leading financiers have called for better international marketing of the country’s financial system and assets. They told the Business Advantage Papua New Guinea Investment Conference, that it is an important step towards creating more mature financial markets.
Diversification of the Papua New Guinea economy is critical to maintaining economic growth according to Loi Bakani, the Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea. He told the PNG Investment Conference in Sydney that a particular area of concern is the high level of food imports.
Employment and IR laws under review, Police Commissioner appeals for end to blockade of Highlands Highway, and new Agriculture Minister promises to pursue K20m for coffee borer repair. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.
O’Neill says Supplementary Budget won’t contain any new taxes, Oil Search MD says oil and gas sector could earn K60 billion over the next seven years, and central bank prepares to use block chain technology. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.
We are really excited about the program we have put together for our first investment conference in two years, which includes two heavyweight keynote speakers plus an impressive cross-section of PNG and international business leaders.
Papua New Guinea needs greater flexibility in the exchange rate, Rohan Fox, Lecturer and Research Fellow at the University of Papua New Guinea’s Division of Economics, explains to Business Advantage PNG. He believes APEC will be a boost to the economy but not enough to spark a general recovery.
The Papua New Guinea economy is gradually stabilising as it adjusts to the impact of the PNG LNG project, according to the Bank of PNG’s latest Monetary Policy Statement. Real economic growth is predicted to be 2.8 per cent, the kina has been steady, and the 2016 balance of payments was in surplus. But there are financial stresses, as David James reports.
Commodity prices were reasonably stable over the month and precious metals strengthened. But the weakness in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) prices continued. Business Advantage PNG’s monthly review of Papua New Guinea commodity and financial markets.
BSP enters a joint venture deal in Cambodia, management restructure planned for PNG Power, and government shelves GST rise. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.