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

Papua New Guinea must take advantage of growing global coffee consumption, say leading exporters

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Papua New Guinea’s coffee industry needs to capitalise on the growing global demand for coffee, industry exporters and promoters tell Business Advantage PNG. They believe production improvements are essential to ensuring consistent quality.

New exchange may see internet costs in Papua New Guinea fall, says analyst

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While a consultancy’s report has shown that internet costs in Papua New Guinea are amongst the highest in the world, prices are falling. Encouragingly, an agreement announced this week could see internet costs fall even further.

Kumul Consolidated Holdings establishes agriculture joint venture in East Sepik

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The holding company for Papua New Guinea’s state-owned enterprises, Kumul Consolidated Holdings, is making its first foray into agriculture, establishing a joint venture in East Sepik Province with Israel’s L R Group.

In brief: Oil Search and ExxonMobil buy gas licences in Gulf, and other Papua New Guinea business stories

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Oil Search and ExxonMobil buy into gas licences in Gulf of Papua, Sir Mick Curtain, founder of Curtain Bros, dies, and trade disagreement with Fiji resolved. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.

People moves: Oil Search, Kina Securities, University of Natural Resources and Environment

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Directors retire from Oil Search board, Kina Securities appoints a new non-Executive Director, and the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Natural Resources and Environment arrives

Demand for affordable housing sees price rises, according to Papua New Guinea property survey

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Demand for residential houses among the growing urban population, especially in Port Moresby, has increased but the supply of quality and affordable houses has seen prices rise ‘exhorbitantly’, according to a new survey of the housing market by consultancy Niugini Land and Property.

Rice policy may end our rice production in Papua New Guinea, says Trukai CEO

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The effect of the government’s proposed rice policy will basically ‘shut us down’, says Greg Worthington-Eyre, CEO of the country’s main rice importer and producer, Trukai Industries. His warning follows a prediction of price rises by the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission, and a warning by the Australian government the policy could breach WTO rules.

Air Niugini tells Cairns business it will increase capacity on Cairns-Port Moresby after Qantas withdraws

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Air Niugini has assured Cairns businesspeople that it will continue to cater to the business and tourism community, after Qantas confirmed that it will no longer fly the Cairns-Port Moresby route, according to Cairns business leader, Kevin Byrne.

What is stopping Papua New Guinea’s Panguna mine from re-opening?

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The government of Bougainville wants to put the operation of the giant Panguna copper mine out to international tender as soon as possible, President John Momis tells Business Advantage PNG. But key considerations, including the exploration licence, the equity structure, landowner rights and dividends and the rehabilitation of the mine must be decided first.

Papua New Guinea’s broadband network ‘on track’, but there will be challenges, says analyst

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The rollout of PNG’s National Transmission Network is on track for completion later this year. It will transform the nation’s digital highway, but that does not mean there will not be challenges, telecommunications analyst Henry Lancaster tells Business Advantage PNG.