AMCHAM CORAL SEA HOSTS US CONGRESSMAN ED CASE

Bizmen: Government needs better regulations to cater to European investment

Panelists at the Third European-PNG Business, Trade, and Investment Conference on the 10th of October 2022 at Apec Haus Port Moresby, speaking on the topic of “Navigating the business environment - the impact of the regulatory framework for business, trade, and investment,” mainly expressed their desire for more improvements to the regulatory framework and regulations in PNG and for these to take place effectively and more efficiently.

Mr. Peter Burnie, Partner for Price Waterhouse Coopers, said stakeholder engagement was “difficult” amid the implementation of conflicting laws and priorities to set up business in Papua New Guinea.

The same sentiment was also shared by Mr. Chey Scovel, from the Manufacturers Council of PNG. He emphasized the aspect of delivering policies from the government.

He noted that its target “should be met, and there should be accountability if nothing has been achieved in terms of meeting key policies and its deliverable targets that will create opportunities for the country,” adding that, at the moment “this is currently stagnant.”

An example, Mr. Scovel noted, is the inbound calls when calling from Australia to Papua New Guinea. “It is quite expensive compared to other countries, which is cheaper in comparison to Papua New Guinea. That is a regulatory problem and needs to be looked at, especially with the National Information Communication Technology Authority (NICTA) and its other regulatory organizations,” he said.

Mr. Collin Stone, the CEO of Digicel PNG Limited, said there needs to be a good regulatory system in place in Papua New Guinea that is “stable, equitable, fearful and independent.”

“One of the impeding factors in PNG is engagement and dialogue between different regulatory

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schools, and health services, this is because of the hard work put in by the business community and the local member to develop and change the electorate”

Adding significantly to this is the construction of a state-owned hospital and recreational facility which will consist of a modern Gym, park, and playground. These facilities are all currently in progress with the beautification process slowly taking shape along the footpaths leading to the intended area of construction.

Once a notorious part of the city is now fast becoming a jewel greatly because of the outstanding and tireless efforts of the elected member and the business community in developing and creating a solid profile for the suburbs in this electorate.

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American Chamber of Commerce Coral Sea Hosts Discussions with US Congressman Ed Case

By Miriam Mandibi

The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Coral Sea hosted a roundtable discussion with US Congressman Ed Case of Hawaii on Wednesday 19th of October 2022 at its Port Moresby based Office.

The AmCham was launched earlier this year to promote sustainable economic growth, foreign investment and greater opportunities for US and the Pacific companies including the Coral Sea region that is PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

The discussion comes after a meeting with the Biden Administration last month at the US-Pacific Island country summit in ways to enhance Partnership and trade.

Key issues highlighted were how to work in collaboration with AmCham Coral Sea Country’s and the US especially Hawaii, providing ways to enhance business growth and explore Congress’ role in enhancing AmCham’s efforts.

In his welcoming remarks, AmCham Coral Sea Vice President Peter Burnie (PWC Papua New Guinea) shared AmCham’s partnership has having multiple facets that provide innovation, diversity, trust and integrity with Commercial relationship as its centre.

“We recognize the incredible importance of the US government’s involvement in the region and our connection is the differentiator in other business organizations and is our key to success,” he said.

“I deeply appreciated the discussion with AmCham Coral Sea, how we can all seize the moment following President Biden’s and congress landmark meeting with the Pacific Island Leaders in Washington DC last month,” said Congressman Case.

“Our Joint Declaration on US Pacific Partnership and our whole range of related initiatives throughout the Pacific demonstrates our commitment to working with our partners to increase economic potential and opportunities all towards mutual strengthening of our countries and it’s share values.

“I am really excited at the enhanced role my Hawaii can and wants to play in facilitating this next chapter in the Pacific Century.”

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bodies operating individually, and there’s no communication between themselves, there needs to be more consultation between government and private sector,” he added.

Mr. Kamis Yalakun, the Manager for Investment Promotion Authority, spoke on the roles of IPA and how they are currently working with the European Union to establish business development within Papua New Guinea. The last speaker, Mr. Nelson Kapo from PNG Customs Services, gave a brief view of how the regulatory organization operates in Papua New Guinea. He emphasized that the PNG Customs Services welcome investors in the country to operate in a more flexible role, and said there are areas as a country for them to work in collaboration with stakeholders to welcome effective development.

The theme of the conference is “Strengthening sustainable business, trade and investment ties between the EU, PNG and the Pacific”.

PM Marape Opens K125.7-Million Kavieng Airport

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says the Government is investing in key infrastructure development such as the K125.7 million Kavieng Airport Development.

He said this on Thursday, November 3, 2022, when opening the project which he launched in June 2020, built through the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Civil Aviation Development Investment Programme (CADIP) and Government counterpart funding, in front of a massive crowd in the New Ireland capital.

The project covered pavement strengthening and 500m runway extension to achieve a total length of 2200m; construction of the new terminal building; construction of the new airport market facility; construction of the powerhouse and installation of standby power supply; installation of an airfield lighting system; installation of water supply; and a new carpark.

PM Marape thanked ADB for its support of CADIP since 2009 which will continue through CADIP II.

He also announced: • K10 million for expansion of Kavieng Town and urged local landowners to free up land for this purpose; and • That a new port would be built in Kavieng through the Australia-PNG partnership.

The Prime Minister and a large delegation from Port Moresby arrived in an Air Niugini Boeing 737 aircraft to demonstrate that Kavieng Airport can now handle international flights.

He was accompanied by Civil Aviation Minister and Namatanai MP Hon. Walter Schnaubelt, Treasurer and Kavieng MP Hon. Ian Ling-Stuckey, Finance Minister Hon. Rainbo Paita, ADB Country Director David Hill, management of major airlines Air Niugini and PNG Air, department heads, provincial administration representatives, local leaders, and the New Ireland people.

Meantime, across the Bismark Sea in Manus, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso opened the East-West Coast Highway Redevelopment.

“This indicates that the Government of today is willing to invest in key economic infrastructure to carry the economy of the country forward,” PM Marape said.

“This sort of infrastructure has a return on investment.

“This airport in Kavieng has a return of 16 percent-plus.

“This is the economic-enabling infrastructure to anchor New Ireland and this part of the country so that you are not just a contributor from Lihir (mine) but can now go the next mile as far as the economy is concerned.”

PM Marape challenged the people of New Ireland to break away from the status quo and work with Government in developing the economy.

“The Government is investing and focusing on going back to agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and sustainable forestry and wants to work with the provincial government in this space,” he said.

PM Marape cited the case of the small Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu which had a population of only 300,000 people but attracted 88,000 tourists in 2020.

“If 50,000 tourists come to Kavieng, and each of them spends K1000, that is K50 million for the New Ireland economy,” he said.

“This is more money than from the Lihir mine.

“In a place like New Ireland, where law and order is not a major issue, we are willing to invest more.

“I want to talk about opening up Kavieng Town, opening tourism, agriculture, and fisheries in New Ireland.

“I want to talk about power generation for reliable power in this province. I want New Ireland, over the next 10 years, to become a strong economic contributor through not only agriculture but especially tourism and fisheries.”