In brief: O’Neill says 2018 Budget will encourage businesses and create jobs, and other business stories

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Prime Minister O’Neill says 2018 will encourage business development and create jobs, IFC identifies niche markets for tourism growth, and Aropa Airport edges towards night flights. Your weekly digest of the latest business news. 

Papua New Guinea interest rates likely to remain stable and inflation to fall, say research groups

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Interest rates are likely to remain at 6.26 per cent for the rest of 2017, and inflationary pressures are expected to moderate, according to the latest economic analysis by Singapore-based BMI Research, a unit of Fitch Group.

Merger of Telikom PNG, PNG DataCo and bmobile may lead to lower costs, say analysts

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IT analysts and industry insiders tell Business Advantage PNG that the Papua New Guinea Government’s decision to merge bmobile and PNG DataCo under a Telikom PNG renamed Kumul Telikom is likely to increase competition and innovation. But the move will not be without challenges.

Unrest poses threat to investment in Papua New Guinea says report

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An increase in the number of protests, blockades, and inter-clan rivalry in Papua New Guinea poses ‘downside risks’ to Papua New Guinea’s economic growth recovery, according to a report by BMI Research, a subsidiary of the Fitch Ratings Agency. It warns it could lead to delays or cancellations of investment projects.