Prime Minister James Marape has announced the names of his new Vice-Ministers, Air Niugini may take up the Cairns–Hong Kong route via Port Moresby, and SP Brewery opens cassava plant. Your weekly digest of business news.

Marape’s newly appointed Vice-Ministers. Credit: Reuben Mete

James Marape, PNG’s Prime Minister, has appointed 12 Vice-Ministers who ‘will be performing various key tasks in Government.’
Marape announced their names at Government House and they have been sworn in by Governor General, Sir Bob Dadae. The Vice-Ministers’ are: Kobby Bomorea, Pogio Ghate, Joe Sungi, James Donald, Joe Kuli, Wesley Raminai, Win Daki, Johnson Wapunai, Jimmy Uguro, Henry Amuli, Manasseh Makiba and Koni Iguan. (LOOP)

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Last week, during a meeting in Cairns, Australia, Air Niugini’s Managing Director, Alan Milne, reportedly said the company is ready to run Cathay Pacific’s Cairns–Hong Kong route via Port Moresby. (The National)

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SP Brewery’s cassava plant has opened in Erap, Morobe Province. PNG’s largest brewer is now using cassava to make beer, but it is also hope that cassava can also be used to manufacture flour and stock feed.  (EMTV)

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PNG Click TV has suspended its satellite television business, reports The National. It has been claimed that the company will be focusing on content delivery via IPTV (internet protocol television services).

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A new business start-up program, the Techlab PNG Accelerator Programme, has launched in Port Moresby to help SMEs in using emerging technologies. The PNG-Australian Partnership supports the 12-month pilot program. (The National)

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During his speech at the Speaker’s Investment Summit, Prime Minister James Marape said that the ‘health’ of the country was tied to the success of the business community.

‘Because when we have a healthy, prosperous, wealthy PNG, those of you who have business in this country will be here for a very long time.’ (The National)

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During the 35th Australia-PNG Forum and Trade Expo, Charles Yala, Principal and Director of Niugini Land, said PNG needs to set up a separate office to the Lands Department to deal with customary land issues.

‘It is important that an office is established, or a separate entity is established, that takes custody of the 17 resolutions of the 2019 National Land Summit and drive development of the customary land.’ he said. (The National)

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Last week, Bank South Pacific (BSP) received the 2018 award for ‘Best Private Sector Employer’. The award recognises best practices in systems and management and is given by the Papua New Guinea Human Resource Institute (PNGHRI). BSP was recognised, in particular, for its ichris System, which is human resources information software. (LOOP)

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Telstra Mining Services and Newcrest have announced the implementation of what seems to be PNG’s first private LTE (Long Term Evolution) mobile network at Newcrest’s Lihir gold mine. This wireless platform allows for greater levels of safety, remote operation and automation. (PNG Buzz )

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PNG’s National Audit Office is reportedly ‘scrutinising’ the contract with Paladin, the company that runs refugee and asylum seeker accommodation in Manus Island, which expires in less than two weeks. PNG’s Minister for Immigration, Petrus Thomas, has indicated the contract may be ‘cancelled or terminated’ by the end of June.

‘The PNG government wants a transparent tender process and, most importantly, will strongly recommended national content.’ he said. ‘Papua New Guinean companies now have the capacity and expertise to do the job and should be given the opportunity to participate.’ ( The Guardian )

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During the inaugural European Union—Papua New Guinea Business and Investment Conference, which was held last week at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby, Michael Sullivan, President of the PNG-EU Business Council, said he was hopeful ‘this conference will become an annual event.’ (Post Courier)

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The Pomio District Development Authority has given a second K100,000 grant to local cocoa producers to build another solar cocoa dryer. This will allow their participation in the Cocoa Excellence show in Lae. (LOOP)

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Photo of the Week

Credit: Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea

Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne, visited PNG last week and met Prime Minister James Marape. According to the Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea, Payne ‘congratulated him on his appointment and we discussed the bold vision he holds for the future of PNG. We also spoke about Australia’s commitment to our partnership with PNG, the strength of the friendship between our countries, and our shared plans for our partnership into the future. I look forward to visiting Hela with him in the future!’