Three quarters of Papua New Guinea’s population is excluded from the financial sector, but there are differing thoughts about how to include them. David James looks at some of the options being proposed for PNG and notes the mobile phone is the key to all of them.
The March Monetary Policy Statement from the Bank of Papua New Guinea has urged the government to rethink the way it negotiates concessions and tax exemptions with new resources projects. Taking a strong position, it points to how previous agreements have been a factor in foreign exchange shortages and adverse trends in government finances.
Massive growth in participation has forced the Papau New Guinea Government to come up with new strategies for the finance sector and financial inclusion. Business Advantage PNG’s David James reviews the strategies and finds a greatly enhanced role for the central bank.
New World Bank report predicts 5% GDP growth for Papua New Guinea in 2019, consumer protection in financial services, and Bloomberg puts a value on Panguna mine. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.
The Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea, Loi Bakani, says the foreign exchange market is on track to return to normalcy. In an exclusive interview with Business Advantage PNG, he says the PNG LNG project has begun paying taxes for the first time, which is improving the Government’s budgetary position.
Following the successful launch of Papua New Guinea’s first sovereign bond, the International Finance Corporation is intending to issue a AAA bond as part of its efforts to deepen the financial markets in Papua New Guinea. John Vivian, IFC’s Resident Representative for Papua New Guinea, tells Business Advantage PNG that it can also assist corporate funding.
Abel on economic integration, renewable energy transition by 2050 and a K2m commitment to revive Goilala coffee. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.
Foreign exchange inflows improving, Moni Plus opens in Lae, and changes to boards of government-owned businesses. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.
The Government’s Mid-year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) statement has indicated that it is in the ‘advanced stages’ of negotiating the country’s first sovereign bond later this year. The strategy is being adopted to solve the nation’s foreign exchange shortages, but it does carry risks.
The Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea, Loi Bakani, has told an APEC conference on improving financial literacy that the use of mobile phones for financial services is increasing sharply. But he said there is a need to strengthen consumer digital financial literacy and awareness in the country.