Kevin McQuillan is a regain contributor to Business Advantage PNG, with over 30 years' experience covering PNG and the Pacific.

Five questions for: Edwini Kessie, Pacer Plus Chief Trade Adviser

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The long-awaited Pacer-Plus Pacific trade agreement is expected to be signed in early June, after the 14 Pacific countries concluded their talks in Brisbane last week. But Papua New Guinea and Fiji have said they will not participate. Business Advantage PNG asked World Trade Organisation negotiator, Edwini Kessie, what PNG is missing out on.

Higher commodity prices the key to improving Papua New Guinea credit ratings, says Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings

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High debt and deficit levels are why the ratings agency S&P has kept its Papua New Guinea country rating at B+/B, with a negative outlook. S&P Director, Craig Michaels, tells Business Advantage PNG higher commodity prices are the key to lifting the rating.

Papua New Guinea using multiple energy sources to meet growing need

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Papua New Guinea is taking a multi-pronged approach to its energy provision. Business Advantage PNG takes a look at the nation’s approach to meeting its power needs.

Papua New Guinea businesses to provide core APEC services, says APEC CEO

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Local Papua New Guinea businesses are expected to provide core services to ensure the success of the 2018 APEC summit in Port Moresby, says APEC Papua New Guinea Co-Ordination Authority CEO, Christopher Hawkins.

Merger of Telikom PNG, PNG DataCo and bmobile may lead to lower costs, say analysts

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IT analysts and industry insiders tell Business Advantage PNG that the Papua New Guinea Government’s decision to merge bmobile and PNG DataCo under a Telikom PNG renamed Kumul Telikom is likely to increase competition and innovation. But the move will not be without challenges.

Total close to decision on cooperation with PNG LNG plant, says MD Blanchard

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The operator of the second Papua New Guinea LNG project says overcoming technical and environmental issues will determine if Total joins the existing PNG LNG trains. Managing Director, Philippe Blanchard, says a decision will be made within the next 5-6 months.

Lack of import controls harming Papua New Guinea’s fishing industry says Fishing Industry Association’s Celso

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Papua New Guinea’s fishing industry faces fierce competition from Thailand and the Philippines, says Pete Celso, Managing Director of R D Tuna Canneries in Lae. He believes a lack of control over imports is harming the local industry.

‘Unshackled’ Bougainville Copper reveals strategy for re-opening Panguna mine on Bougainville

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If the giant Panguna copper mine on Bougainville is ever to re-open, many complex problems must be solved, including the status of the former miner, Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL). In this exclusive interview with Business Advantage PNG, BCL Chairman Rob Burns outlines its strategy to return to mining.

The secret to resilience in tough times according to CPL, Papua New Guinea’s largest retailer

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Many business have reported the current business climate in PNG as ‘quiet’, with some saying income is down about 20 per cent. How has CPL fared? Business Advantage PNG talks to CEO, Ravi Singh.

Why hosting APEC will transform Papua New Guinea

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The APEC meeting in 2018 in Port Moresby will be a major boost for the country, David Toua, the President of the Business Council of PNG (BCPNG), tells Business Advantage PNG. Analysts say in the past benefits have been shown to outweigh the costs.