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 became a major exporter of gas in 2014 when the $19bn PNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) project was completed ahead of schedule and within budget, significantly increasing the size and strength of the economy. The year ahead is likely to see PNG benefit from the further development of its hydrocarbons sector, fuelling the growth of its economy as a whole. The LNG influx also poses c
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.…
Improving the educational system remains a top priority in Papua New Guinea. The country is committed to the sector both in terms of political will and increasing expenditure, and over time schools have seen great improvements as resource wealth enters the economy and supports the national budget. PNG has already made significant advances in recent years. In particular, the tuition-fee-free education…
