Western Province

Richard Andrews meets a professor who is trying to solve an ancient mystery. His search for answers has led him to PNG’s Western Province.

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.

Reports that a Chinese company has put forward a multibillion dollar plan to develop several areas in Western Province have highlighted the lack of investment in one of Papua New Guinea’s most neglected provinces.

We travel to the Cassowary Hotel in Kiunga, in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province.

ExxonMobil and the government-appointed State Negotiating Team have until the end of January to negotiate an agreement for the P’nyang gas project, says Minister for Petroleum.

Working with local farmers to get the fundamentals right has led to massive production increases for fresh produce business Hilans Fres in Papua New Guinea’s Western Highlands Province. Advisor Paul Browne explains how it’s been achieved.

As the Ok Tedi gold and copper mine nears the end of its current mine life, the Ok Tedi Development Foundation has launched a five-year plan to create economic self-reliance for the people of Western Province. Kevin McQuillan reports.

Western Province is the largest province in Papua New Guinea by area. It shares a land border with the Indonesian province of Papua and a sea border with Australia. There are several large rivers that run through the province, including the Fly River, PNG’s biggest, and the Strickland and Ok Tedi Rivers. Lake Murray, PNG’s largest lake, is also in the province.

Western Highlands Province’s capital Mount Hagen is the third-largest city in Papua New Guinea, but it has a rural appearance, with its grass huts and terraced gardens where kaukau and other fruit and vegetables are grown in the Wahgi Valley. The people have a reputation for being industrious, goal-oriented and thrifty and they have been significant players in some key industries in PNG, notably: trucking, vehicle hire, taxis and buses, and agriculture. 

The Chief Executive of copper and gold producer Ok Tedi Mining, Peter Graham, believes the Papua New Guinean company will enjoy a ‘sweet spot’ in the next few years. He says efficiency gains have substantially improved the mine’s competitiveness.