What makes brands work in Papua New Guinea?

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A recent online survey to identify Papua New Guinea’s most recognisable brands suggests that traditional marketing techniques still hold sway in PNG. But for how much longer?

Yields expected to double as cocoa industry recovers from cocoa pod borer devastation

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Papua New Guinea’s largest cocoa grower, trader and exporter, Agmark, says cocoa yields in East New Britain could double, as a result of new technology arising from the battle to recover from the impact of the cocoa pod borer.

In brief: Papua New Guinea Prime Minister respects court’s decision on arrest warrant and other stories

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Prime Minister O’Neill to respect court’s decision, Bougainville Copper assesses draft mining bill, and Papua Mining raises exploration funds. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.

Stronger kina will affect exporters, say business leaders

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The Bank of Papua New Guinea’s move to strengthen the value of the Papua New Guinea kina against the US dollar has taken business by surprise, with some business leaders saying it will impact on primary industry producers.

The battle to save the Papua New Guinea cocoa industry

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Despite growing demand for cocoa around the world, the industry in Papua New Guinea is in crisis, with production in East New Britain alone plummeting by 82% between 2008 and 2012. Business Advantage PNG reports on attempts to combat the pest which threatens the sector.

A season of healthy growth

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Farming expertise, rich soil and high rainfall are behind Papua New Guinea’s organic strength. Agriculture accounted for more than 30% of Papua New Guinea’s GDP in 2011, according to World Bank figures. The sector expanded at a moderate pace in 2011, with many cash crops responding to high international prices. PNG’s most valuable cash crops—oil […]

Spotlight: The sweet taste of success

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Australian chocolatier Dean Morgan of Zokoko is one of an increasing number of gourmet chocolate makers discovering that the fine cocoa flavour of Papua New Guinean cocoa makes excellent gourmet chocolate. Dean Morgan’s search for PNG cocoa started with a call to Pacific Islands Trade and Invest to source coffee beans for his coffee roasting […]