Farewell to the Chief
After three weeks of mourning, Papua New Guinea’ founding father, Sir Michael Somare, was laid to rest at Kreer Heights in Wewak, East Sepik Province on March 16. In Port Moresby, a national Haus Krai saw thousands of
PNG
COVID-19 vaccine doses earmarked for Pacific Islands by July
Twelve Pacific Island countries are expected to receive vaccines for the coronavirus in the first half of this year through the COVAX initiative, with the region’s largest nation Papua New Guinea expected to receive
Kina’s Westpac offer: why a banking duopoly would be bad for PNG
The much-anticipated bid for Westpac Pacific (PNG and Fiji) operations by Kina Securities (the owner of Kina Bank) was finally confirmed last month. The offer did not come as a surprise as Westpac moved its Pacific
Worry for PNG business leaders
At a brief sitting of Papua New Guinea’s parliament in November – with all Opposition MPs absent – the James Marape government passed its 2021 Budget, before abruptly adjourning until next April. Treasurer Ian
BSP on par with global peers, indicates ASX listing interest, eyes Australasia
Papua New Guinea’s regional bank BSP will revisit an earlier plan to list on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). In a message to shareholders last week informing them on the progress of the company, BSP Group
PNG’s first Special Economic Zone gets nod
The PNG government has approved and agreed to provide K100m (US$28.5 million) to kick start the country’s first Special Economic Zone, creating up to half a million jobs directly and indirectly in the country when it
Fiji @ 50: ATH flexes its regional muscle
Fiji’s Amalgamated Telecom Holdings’ (ATH) recent US$25 million investment from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to finance a greenfield 4G mobile network in Papua New Guinea, is a vote of confidence in the regional
Pioneering PNG Woman politician Nahau Rooney passes on
Trailblazing, hardworking, audacious, always vivacious and sometimes controversial were among tributes and recollections shared of Papua New Guinea and Manus political pioneer, Nahau Rooney who passed away on Tuesday
Westpac won’t speculate on Pacific sale
Westpac says it will not respond to speculation in Australian media this week that it is on the verge of selling its Pacific businesses. A Westpac Fiji spokesperson says the Bank “is currently undertaking strategic
PNG economy, health hit hard
The impact of COVID-19 is accentuating trends that had already developed over the last decade, says University of Papua New Guinea lecturer in economics, Maholopa Laveil. He lists amongst these trends: “falling
PNG: COVID cases up, POM locks down
PNG’s Acting Health Secretary has announced another suspected death from COVID-19 in the Nation’s Capital. Dr Paison Dakulala said a 35-year-old health worker died due to respiratory illness as a result of
PNG Mining: Layoffs and laws
The Parliament of PNG has passed a series of amendments targeting the mining, oil and gas industries, which give the Minister greater flexibility in determining whether to grant or refuse petroleum development
Can sharing the joy of tax increase government revenue in PNG?
Around the world, tax compliance is a serious problem with big consequences. The case is no different in Papua New Guinea (PNG). It is an important concern of the current government. In July 2019, Prime Minister James
Presidential leadership for post referendum Bougainville
Bougainville is going through a major political metamorphosis ending one political status and entering into another entity. The 15 years of Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Tenure has ended but continues
Australia appoints its first Indigenous person as Consul-General
Australia first Indigenous Consul-General, Benson Saulo says he’s keen to share Australia’s Indigenous culture and connecting with First Nations businesses and leaders in the US as part of his trade and investment
Fisheries Fray
The Papua New Guinea Fishing Industry Association (PNGFIA) wants to widen the scope of its fishery products and fishing vessels covered by its recent Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified status. And the
Pacific countries will access future COVID-19 vaccine through funding mechanism
Pacific island countries will be able to access a future COVID-19 vaccine through a new funding mechanism announced by Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, at the Global Vaccine Summit last week. Fiji, Kiribati, Federated States
PNG rejects observer suspension on fishing vessels
The Papua New Guinea Fishing Industry Association (PNGFIA) has rejected the recent suspension by the Western and Central Pacific Fishing Commission (WCPFC) of observer coverage services on board purse seine fishing
Porgera extension rejection reflects policy of economic nationalism
The Papua New Guinea government’s decision not to extend the mining lease on the economically important Porgera gold mine has shocked the joint venture operator, but the K17 billion (US$4.8 billion) Wafi-Golpu
COVID poses added threat to economic growth and stability
The outbreak of Covid-19 in Papua New Guinea represents an added threat to economic growth and stability, given the country’s limited capacity to manage the health crisis, according to three global economic
“It’s a wonderful place to be”: Meet Mel Kawa, Melbourne Rebels Captain
“I’ve been so fortunate that I’ve been able to chase a rugby ball around the world, so I’m hoping for the women’s competition it will follow the men’s and be equally successful,” says Mel Kawa, captain of
Four more species of “walking sharks” found off PNG
Marine scientists have found four new species of shark in waters off Milne Bay, PNG and off Indonesia which evolved to use their fins as feet and can walk across the ocean floor. Walking sharks, also called
Coronavirus travel restrictions: a Pacific wrap
There have been no cases of coronavirus reported in the Pacific Islands region, although Australia and New Zealand have reported cases, and in the case of Australia, one death. However the Pacific region has responded