Papua New Guinea’s 2026 National Budget, delivered last week, outlines record government spending, while keeping PNG on track to achieve a budget surplus by 2027. It also shifts the narrative “towards opportunity”, as one expert notes, with investments in key development priorities. We take a closer look at the implications for business.
Treasury Minister
In a repeat of last year, the 2025 Budget delivered by Papua New Guinea Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey outlines record spending and revenue. It also contains a few policy surprises, including a proposed reduction to the company tax rate paid by commercial banks as well as easing of a key paperwork requirement for obtaining foreign exchange.
Treasurer reinstated and Bank of Papua New Guinea appoints new Financial Analysis and Supervision Unit (FASU) Director.
Papua New Guinea relies heavily on a limited number of taxpayers. Paul Barker, Executive Director of industry-funded think tank, the Institute of National Affairs, considers the implications for government expenditure and PNG’s foreign exchange situation.
Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey met with two global rating agencies to talk about Papua New Guinea and its loan history, the United States pledges about K2.8 million in programs for the Pacific and Prime Minister Marape green lights the Japan Development Institute to work on a new Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Master Plan. The business news you need.
Forestry Minister unveils plans to ‘take back the forestry sector’, Minister for Fisheries says funding is needed for the Pacific Maritime Industrial Zone and the Chamber of Mines and Petroleum questions gold refinery and mint project in Papua New Guinea. The business news you need today.
NCSL talks about its plans to become an ebank, Papua New Guinea’s Treasurer, Ian Ling-Stuckey reveals potential second economic stimulus package for MSMEs and changes in taxation collection in Bougainville. The business news in brief.
How did the informal economy developed in Papua New Guinea? John David Conroy, Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University’s Crawford School, explores informality in PNG and its repercussions.
K92 Mining sets example in the mining industry in Papua New Guinea, Australia commits funds to help PNG get COVID-19 vaccinations and latest survey on COVID-19’s impact on the business community.
COVID-19, Porgera and politics may have monopolised the attention of the media, but 2020 brought many other challenges, unexpected changes and triumphs for business. Here’s how Business Advantage PNG reported on this extraordinary year.