Papua New Guinea’s Independent Consumer and Competition Commission is set for a busy few months, as the country looks set for a higher-than-usual level of mergers-and-acquisitions activity. Beyond M&A, there are other developments for investors to look forward to as well.
Proposed amendments to the laws governing Papua New Guinea’s capital markets aim to open up the market to more ways of raising capital and strengthen governance in the sector.
Business owed K2 billion in GST refunds, Internal Revenue Commission to launch online tax payments and new Twinza Oil chairman to travel to Papua New Guinea. Your digest of the latest business news.
Papua New Guinea took a step closer to resolving a significant governance issue related to its stock exchange, PNGX, following a National Court ruling late last month. However, uncertainty continues to hold back PNG’s capital markets, reports David James.
The Acting Chairman of the Securities Commission Alex Tongayu has issued an order that a new levy will be applied to all transactions on the PNGX, Papua New Guinea’s stock market. It has raised concerns that it will impede the growth of the country’s capital markets.
The signing of the Papua LNG project deferred, PNG LNG signs Singapore deal, and Minister flags new Mining Act. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.
O’Neill appoints new Treasurer, a new Chair of the Securities Commission, Air Niugini appoints first woman to head a subsidiary, Ramu landowner board appointments, new partner at KPMG, a new CEO at Akzo Nobel, and a Group Operations Manager at Pacific Foam Group
A new player is preparing to enter Papua New Guinea’s palm oil industry, after Malaysian conglomerate Sime Darby was selected as the preferred bidder for Kulim Malaysia’s shares in PNG’s largest agribusiness, New Britain Palm Oil (NBPOL). What do analysts think of the move?
Trade Minister, Richard Maru, has amended Papua New Guinea’s takeover code, introducing a new national interest test for anyone acquiring shares in PNG companies. The law firms who represented Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad in its recent failed bid for New Britain Palm Oil say the lack of definition about what is ‘the national interest’ will discourage foreign investment in PNG and PNG companies.
While its aims of encouraging small and indigenous business are universally supported, the Papua New Guinea Government’s recent dealings with investors have created a ‘feeling of unease’ in some business circles.
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