IFC’s ambitious plan to improve agribusiness in the Markham and Ramu valleys

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The International Finance Corporation is undertaking a scoping study of the Markham and Ramu valleys to assess agricultural opportunities in Papua New Guinea. The results will help to develop a win-win business model for agri-investors and customary landowners.

In brief: Papua New Guinea may face its largest budget deficit to date and other business stories

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Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Treasury finds the national budget in a ‘much more fragile situation’, K12 billion in unbanked money circulating, and poor regulations may be affecting SMEs. Your weekly digest of business news.

Tourism is on the rise in Papua New Guinea

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Papua New Guinea might be ‘under-touristed’, but if numbers continue to increase it won’t be that way for long, and that’s great news for the economy. Lisa Smyth reports.

Spectacular growth in Papua New Guinea’s K600 million solar energy market

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Sixty per cent of households in Papua New Guinea are now using solar energy, compared with just two per cent seven years ago, according to a recent International Finance Corporation report. What’s driving this extraordinary growth? asks Kevin McQuillan.

Second route out of Papua New Guinea’s Highlands could transform country: IFC study

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Currently, the only way of bringing bulk agricultural produce out of Papua New Guinea’s fertile Highlands is down the Highlands Highway to the port city of Lae. A new study has identified a faster second route—through Gulf Province. Business Advantage PNG investigates.

Identifying digital opportunities Papua New Guinea’s focus during APEC, says Executive Director

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The Executive Director of APEC, Alan Bollard tells Business Advantage PNG that finding digital solutions that suit Papua New Guinea has been a focus of APEC discussions. Trust and integrity will be key factors in implementation.

IFC to issue Papua New Guinea’s first AAA-rated domestic bond to deepen financial markets

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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.

In brief: Abel to present on economic integration, and other business news

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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.

Tourism study reveals visitors to Papua New Guinea spent K260 million in first half of year

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A study by the International Finance Corporation has found that for the first six months of the year, there were 34,600 tourist visitors to Papua New Guinea. They spent a total of US$78 million (K260 million), which was an average of US$2262 (K7529) per trip.

Companies investing locally this year but will switch to starting up new operations next year, according to round table

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Companies are reducing the size of the businesses, now using excess capital to acquire domestically but may be switching to starting up operations next year. They were some of the observations in a round table discussion on Papua New Guinea’s investment environment at the Business Advantage Invest Forum in Brisbane.