Papua New Guinea’s energy sector has undergone a dramatic transformation over the previous decades, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) becoming the sector’s biggest growth driver. The multibillion-dollar PNG LNG project is now operating well above nameplate capacity, and LNG export revenues are expected to remain a major pillar of the economy in the coming decades. Ongoing exploration activities…
Commodity price fluctuations have rendered sporadic development across Papua New Guinea’s mining sector in recent years. Nevertheless, a diverse basket of minerals continues to attract international investors, who remain eager to unearth the nation’s resources, which have fuelled economic expansion. However, a lack of hard infrastructure and challenging natural conditions continue to escalate operating…
Insurance in Papua New Guinea remains a sector that offers significant opportunity. With a low penetration rate – estimated at under 2% – and the overall economy set for rapid growth as a result of ExxonMobil’s liquefied natural gas project, demand is projected to increase over time. Other trends and events also suggest good prospects. A new acting insurance commissioner has been appointed and…
After a flurry of activity in 2015, including dual-listing initial public offerings, a key stock returning to the exchange after suspension and the writing of a series of major reforms, Papua New Guinea’s capital markets are rebounding. The benchmark stock index started to climb again in 2016 and continued to do so through early 2017, following years of decline since hitting record highs in 2010.…
Papua New Guinea’s banking sector is sound, stable and profitable. Despite slow economic growth in the country in recent years, institutions have managed their exposures well and entered the current weak patch in a strong position. They are generating good results and investing in future growth. Regulation is solid and improving, with the central bank updating key laws and bringing the sector closer…
Despite some weak headline numbers, Papua New Guinea’s economy is set to see a recovery in 2017. Depreciation of the kina and the shortage of US dollars have slowed imports and led to pockets of strength. Robust activity at the small and medium-sized enterprise level and in the informal sector is ongoing, while key statistics, such as the current account, are indicating a return to balance. The recent…
The international position of Papua New Guinea has improved in recent years as the country continues to benefit from a number of positive trends. A stabilisation in commodity prices, strong output from the country’s major projects and an end to the El Niño drought have brought major trade indicators back into line. A lack of US dollars and the weak kina have helped as well by boosting exports and…
With an election in 2017, the year has proven be a challenging one in Papua New Guinea. The economic downturn following the completion of the PNG liquefied natural gas project has resulted in criticism of the current government, amid accusations of mismanagement. Despite this, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill secured a fourth term, winning 78% of the votes cast in his district. Boosting social and economic…
External threats such as pest infestation and adverse weather conditions could reduce earnings prospects for Papua New Guinea’s coffee industry this year, despite efforts to improve output and strengthen infrastructure. Coffee berry borer infestation impacts harvest In late June the governmental Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) announced that 370 tonnes of cherry coffee from the Dei District…
Increased investments in infrastructure and courtship of new markets should help accelerate growth in Papua New Guinea’s tourism sector in the coming years, as part of government efforts to extend the industry’s benefits to less-developed regions. Investment package In early June the World Bank announced it would provide PNG with a $20m credit to support a range of projects aimed at strengthening…
