The government of Papua New Guinea faces some challenges in 2020, with the electorate calling for improvements to social and economic infrastructure, and greater efforts to combat both real and perceived corruption. Despite these difficulties, PNG’s resource wealth and strategic location between the industrial centres of north-east Asia, the rising economies of the Association of South-east Asia
Papua New Guinea has seen a mixed performance over the last 12 months, with the extractive industries recovering from the impact of the 2018 earthquake, while political uncertainty contributed to fluctuating investor confidence. It remains to be seen to what extent Prime Minister James Marape and his recently reshuffled government will enact far-reaching reforms to laws and regulations governing t
Papua New Guinea has remained resilient in the wake of a host of domestic and external challenges, and while growth has slowed since construction of PNG LNG ended, ongoing fiscal, structural and policy reforms should support domestic non-oil economic growth in 2018. PNG’s international profile received a boost when it was selected to host APEC 2018. Although the budgetary burden of APEC could be
Although external forces have seen PNG experience challenging economic conditions in recent times, the general long-term goal remains the same. One of the country’s greatest strengths is the longevity of its planning. Prime Minister O’Neill’s victory in the 2017 election solidifies the government’s agenda and substantially improves political stability. Continuity in planning, along with co
Interview:Dr Amyna Sultan What benefits can private services bring to the health sector in Papua New Guinea? DR AMYNA SULTAN: It is important that the benefits derived from private-sector involvement stay within the country, in the form of both physical assets and skills transfer. To this end, public-private partnerships where the state builds the infrastructure while the private sector contributes…
The health care landscape in Papua New Guinea is informed by its topography and culture: its highland mountains and deep valleys are home to a multitude of indigenous peoples maintaining traditional ways of life while coping with health issues symptomatic of a developing country. Meanwhile, on the coast and in cities such as Port Moresby, rising incomes are increasingly leading to the kinds of non-communicable…
As Papua New Guinea’s population increases, the demand for education at all levels is also rising. The country is starting to build the infrastructure and train the educators necessary to cater for this large group of students. Even so, outside assistance is welcome in terms of funding and managerial assistance. Human development through education is one of the country’s foundational principals.…
Papua New Guinea’s health care system is delineated in the National Health Plan 2011-20, which places a distinct emphasis on the provision of basic care for the country’s poor and rural population. A new free primary care programme, launched by the government in 2014, eliminates all user fees from medical centres and clinics, with the aim of making basic health care free for all Papua New Guineans.…
Interview:Joe Williams Lalie What is the significance of the recently introduced free universal education system? JOE WILLIAMS LALIE: Education has to be at the core of the national agenda if we are going to keep progressing as a nation. The introduction of a free education policy is a positive development, but actions have to follow the announcements. Even though allocations to the sector…
Interview:Pascoe Kase What will the implementation of universal health care mean for PNG’s citizens, and how do you anticipate introducing the changes to support it? PASCOE KASE: The Department of Health welcomes the government’s initiative to introduce universal health care in PNG. It is good news for the many marginalised people who have had difficulties accessing basic health services…
