Does it make Economic Sense for PNG to Continue Imposing this Windfall Tax on Oil and Gas Projects?(a) IntroductionPNG has been applying the Additional Profit Tax (APT) since it was first introduced on Mining Projects namely OK Tedi and Pangua Mines. When oil development commenced in the early 1990s APT was applied on the first oil project – Kutubu in 199...

PNG is just ripe for new developments. With six multi-million projects valued at K133 billion in the pipeline, the country is just waiting for approval from the government.According to Prime Minister James Marape, the government has been in careful consideration with project developers so that the State and the landowners can have their “fair share''.”“Fo...

The world’s largest shipping group, China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) has partnered with the PNG Ports Corporation Limited to expand its services across PNG with bi-monthly vessel calls through Inchcape Shipping Services as its local PNG agents.Its maiden voyage was the container ship. Hansa Cloppenburg, soon to be followed by Tokyo Trader on October 2...

In spite of the pandemic, the assets of the Petroleum Resources Kutubu has grown from K400 million in 2008 to K2.3 billion. This was revealed by Mineral Resources Development Company (MDRC) Managing Director Augustine Mano at Aiyo Primary School, Kutubu, Southern Highlands Province who said that this growth was part of his commitment to the Fasu landowner...

During the handover ceremony of Petroleum Minster Kerenga Kua to Energy Minister William Onglo, the former chided the latter that at this point in time, there should be a department created for the energy sector. “For Papua New Guinea’s quest for development, (we should start) by making energy a standalone department, with its own dedicated minister, w...

In a market survey participated by business leaders, more than 60 per cent have shown that they are not going to lay off employees during this time, according to the PNG Business Council. Executive Director Douveri Henao said that this is a good sign and that companies are now employing measures such as using a skeletal workforce and reduction of work hou...

The tourism industry of PNG is looking up. According to Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey, the government has pointed out stimulus funds to help the tourism industry. He didn’t say the amount but added that the budget for tourism was overlooked. In a statement during the handover ceremony of the tourism ministry to incoming Walter Schnaubelt from outgoing Emil T...

When the Business Council proposed two options for the Bank of PNG to move forward - trading at its market value and devaluing kina - the business space suddenly put its foot down. They claim that smaller businesses are more worried than ever and are asking the government to establish a policy framework that can help them. According to Executive Director ...

“The demand for gold almost always rises as the economy worsens. And that is just what is happening today,” New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan said in a statement during a meeting with Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) board in the province. He added, “In less than two years, gold has gone from US$1,200 (K4,197) per ounce to nearly US$2,000 (K6,9...

Like many industries around the world, the tourism and hospitality sector in PNG are struggling to survive and recover, Lae Chamber of Commerce president John Byrne said, who hails from Lae.According to Mr Byne, businesses in the Lae area have developed procedures to keep themselves afloat - with at the most 40 to 60 per cent capacity. While some have red...

For the development of their renewable energy park, landowners from Markham Valley, Morobo have signed lease agreements and development with PNG Biomass, saying that the lease enables construction, site clearing, and operation of the park. The agreement between these two sanctions is sure to benefit landowners.Operated by the Mark Markham Valley Biomass L...

As part of the agenda of the government, New Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil who is also the Minister for National Planning has vowed to link PNG beginning from Morobe to Port Moresby - which ultimately costs between K400 and K500 million. According to Mr Basil, the road runs from Kasengare, Kaitaipi, Rupila, Omu, Guari, Tapini and Aropokina to link to th...

In a move that slowly opens the economy and boosts the tourism industry, Papua New Guinea has opened its borders for four more countries - Singapore, Hong Kong, Solomon Islands, and Japan. This comes after PNG has already opened its doors to Australia.According to pandemic response controller David Manning, passengers are still required to obtain approval...

Because of the economic downturn brought about by the global health crisis, the Bank of Papua New Guinea has revised its outlook on the gross domestic product (GDP) to decline by 4%, a downward spiral from its original projection last March 2020 of 0.3 per cent. This decline is also brought about by the imposing of State Emergency, lockdown and various po...

To grow its economy, the new Autonomous Bougainville Government has looked at the Panguna mine as a key target. According to Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama, aside from Panguna, the government is also looking at other factors such as projects in agriculture, mining, fisheries, and tourism - that generates revenues and increases employment in Bougai...

To expand the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and fund additional strategic projects that enhance digital leadership in the country, Kina Bank is planning to raise around A$91 million (K224mil). According to Kina Bank chief executive officer Greg Pawson, they want to be more competitive in lending particularly for large SMEs, commercial and corporate ...

Because of the pressing issues surrounding four mines in the country - Ramu Nico mine in Madang, Ok Tedi in Western, Porgera in Enga and Sinivit in East New Britain - Environment and Conservation Minister Wera Mori said an assessment will be done to determine their environmental and socio-economic impacts. Mori said that officials from the Conservation an...

Tufi will soon undergo some changes following the inaugural Link PNG flight to Tufi. According to Transport and Infrastructure Minister William Samb, Tufi is soon to be made into Northern’s second airport. He said that Tufi will be part of the civil aviation development programme phase two (Cadip 2). He added that the government had an overall Connect PNG...

Production sharing contracts have always been specific to oil and gas and therefore never works in the mining sector. This, according to the CEO of Global Miner, Barrick Gold, who added that the highest risk in gas and oil is exploration and once you put it in infrastructure, you just pump forever.“This is where production sharing is a classic example, wh...

Better roads along Highland Highways means more economic potential. This, according to Papua New Guinea Puma Energy Country Manager Hulala Tokome, who said in a statement that he is already seeing businesses growing as the areas open up to more opportunities.“We have experienced a strong entrepreneurial mindset from SMEs there along the road who are keen ...

To ensure the stability of his coalition, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has reshuffled his cabinet.His line up includes Sam Basil, the leader of the United Labour Party and MP, who is now the new deputy prime minister and Minister for Planning and Implementation and Walter Schnaubelt who replaces Emil Tamur as Minister for Tourism, Arts and...

The Head of Papua New Guinea Extractive Industries Transparency (PNGEITI), Mr. Lucas Alkan announced today that the country will be validated for the second time since PNG signed up to implement the EITI global best practice Standard in 2013.The validation exercise is set to commence on the 30th of October 2020. Mr. Alkan stated that the validation is an ...

Pacific Towing (PacTow) has nearly 40 years’ salvage experience in not only its home country of Papua New Guinea but in the waterways of many countries in Oceania and South East Asia. Whether working in partnership with international operators, or individually, PacTow has considerable open ocean, coastal and also river and estuary salvage expertise and ca...

VIRTUAL ENGAGEMENT: The Chamber Webinar set up in Port Moresby at the Hilton HotelThe Papua New Guinea Chamber of Mines and Petroleum held its first ever virtual seminar last Thursday 13 August to give an update on the resources sector, and its plans moving into the new normal.With recent amendments having been made to both the Mining and Oil and Gas Acts...