Exxon makes PNG gas dream a reality

Profound change is underway in the Papua New Guinean economy — and the fortunes of Australian Securities Exchange-listed companies Oil Search and Santos — following the first shipment from the ExxonMobil-led PNG liquefied natural gas project. First gas from the $US19 billion project is making its way to a utility company in Japan on board…

Large MPA – how can we manage them together?

The benefits, challenges and opportunities for collaboration in the management of large marine protected areas (MPA) in the Pacific are the focus of discussion at a workshop being held in Suva, Fiji, this week. The countries and territories of the Pacific Ocean are custodians for large tracts of the largest ocean in the world, which…

Trade ministers must learn from past mistakes – PANG

The regional non-governmental group, the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), is calling on Forum Island Trade Ministers meeting in Kiribati this week to learn the mistakes from previous negotiations and avoid making binding commitments in areas that will not support their exporters. The focus of this week’s meeting is on the economic opportunities of trade…

Fisheries plundered off the Pacific Islands

Two-thirds of the Pacific Islands communities could run out of fish to feed their populations within 15 years. The concern is over both inshore and deep ocean fisheries that are not sustainable.  The warning comes as the Pacific Islands prepare to talk tuna fisheries management in Samoa in early July.  Dr Quentin Hanich, fisheries governance…

UN report shows return for national investments

Developing countries that invested in quality jobs from the early 2000s grew nearly one percentage point faster every year since 2007 and were better able to weather the economic crisis than comparable economies, according to a new report by the United Nations labour agency. The annual report of the International Labour Organization (ILO), The World…

Forum trade ministers meet in Kiribati

The 2014 Forum Trade Ministers Meeting (FTMM) will be held in Tarawa, Kiribati on 28 May 2014. ‘Leveraging Economic Growth Opportunities through Trade Promotion and Facilitation Reforms’ is the theme for this year’s Forum Trade Ministers meeting. “The focus on trade promotion and facilitation initiatives will assist our Members in translating opportunities into real trade…

IFC launches South-to-South solar power project

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, on Tuesday launched Lighting Papua New Guinea, a project to help half a million people get safe and affordable solar off-grid lighting that will boost business, allow children to study, cut household costs, and help women stay safe on the streets. With IFC’s help, solar manufacturers mainly…

Old-school mobiles making a comeback

THEY fit in a pocket, have batteries that last all week and are almost indestructible: old-school Nokias, Ericssons and Motorolas are making a comeback as consumers tired of fragile and overly-wired smartphones. With no apps, video calls or smiley faces, handsets like the Nokia 3310 or the Motorola StarTec 130 allow just basic text messaging…

PNG poultry rakes in K750 million, free poultry diseases

The poultry industry in Papua New Guinea last year contributed K750 million (US$264 million) to the nations coffers, says Poultry Industry Association President Stanley Leahy. He said the vast majority of Papua New Guineans (more than 80 percent) rely on agriculture and it was great to see the Deputy Opposition leader acknowledging the need to…