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Foreign Trade

PNG Looks East for Investments

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International Trade and Investment Minister, Richard Maru, has described his recent ventures overseas as very successful after meeting potential investors in Japan, Singapore and the Philippines.

In Japan, Minister Maru met with Dr Shoichi Kobayashi, the CEO and Chairman of Japan Development Institute (JDI), one of Japan’s biggest industrial development agencies.

JDI has helped developed Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in 70 countries, including China, Indonesia and the Philippines and has shown interest in developing an SEZ Master Plan for PNG.

“All over the world, SEZ developments have either failed or have been very successful,”

“So, getting the expertise of JDI at the infant stages of our SEZ developments is very critical to ensure we develop our planned SEZs,” Minister Maru said.

A team from JDI is expected to arrive by the end of the month for a 10-day trip around the country to begin work on the proposed Master Plan.

Minister Maru also met with Singapore’s Trade and Industry Minister Kim Yong Gan where they discussed the possibilities of creating PNG’s 1st ever Trade Agreement with Singapore. A proposed Trade Fair was also in discussion.

“We want the ASEAN member states to be the heart and soul of our future in terms of trade and investment because Asia is where the growth and future I and we need to be located right in the heart of Asia, which is Singapore,” Minister Maru said.

In the Philippines, Minister Maru met with Alfredo Pascal, the Secretary for the Department of Trade and Industry. Creating a formalized trade link between the two countries was discussed.

Downstream processing and commercial rice farming were also discussed with Minister Maru meeting three potential large-scale rice farming companies.

“PNG needs to identify up to 90,000 hectares of land to grow rice in order to produce the rice to feed our own population and to export the surplus back to the Philippines,”

“We will be working very closely with the Central Province Governor to assist us in identifying land in Central Province to grow rice on a large scale,” Maru said.

Talks on supplying LNG to the Philippines and downstream processing of crude coconut oil were also discussed.

“All in all, Japan, Singapore and the Philippines are ready to step up in their relationships with us in terms of trade and investment. Our plans to establish Trade Missions in these countries will go a long way in enhancing this relationship,” Minister Maru said.

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Business

Tari-Pori District Invests K1mil for Women in Business

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Women in Business is a focus for the Tari-Pori District in the next 5 years.

Taking steps to help women in the district, the Tari-Pori DDA presented K1million to the Women’s Micro Bank in Port Moresby recently.

DDA CEO Willie Kara said the district focused mainly on Health, Education and Infrastructure, however for this year, local Member and Prime Minister James Marape opted for Women in Business as a priority.

“Our DSIP is broken into 9 main sectors – health, education and infrastructure development are our main sectors. For this year, we want to see women in business, and this program will help us see if our women can venture into business,” Kara said.

The Women’s Micro Bank since its establishment has been helping women in the country in business. They’ve partnered with 5 Districts and 1 Provincial Government to bring about training for women who want to venture into the SME space as well as providing the financial means for women to start their own businesses.

“The Bank is women orientated. We want to create financial inclusion for our women. The Bank is here to create that conducive environment for women to grow their businesses,” Bank CEO Gunanidhi Das said.

The K1million funding will be used for training programs as well as capital for women groups in Tari-Pori to use.

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News

Attack on Journalists Condemned

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The Media Council of PNG (MCPNG) has condemned an attack by the supporters of a former politician in the precincts of the National Courts at Waigani yesterday.

While the MCPNG understands that the employers of the journalist who was the target of the attack have filed an official complaint with the police, it is deeply disappointed by this primitive act of violence against a messenger of the news.

“The media, and journalists, are not beholden to any individual, regardless of their standing or reputations as members of parliament,” says MCPNG President, Neville Choi.

“If you are in a position of public service, and your conduct, regardless of whether it was private or public, sees you answering to a court of law, in a publicly-accessed hearing, you must expect that your public standing will attract scrutiny,” says MCPNG President Neville Choi.

The MCPNG President says too often Papua New Guineans in positions of power and public authority, use those positions to avoid or assert blame on the messenger, rather than acknowledge their own shortcomings.

“If leaders, past or present, feel that they have been wronged in any way by the media, there are laws that they can utilize to seek redress. To resort to violence, whether directly or indirectly, only displays why they do not deserve to be called leaders,” Mr Choi said.

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Education

Electronic Library for CHW School

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Rumginae School of Community Health Workers (CHW), in Western Province, recently celebrated the opening of its new E-library facility.

It was completed at the cost of K73 000, co-funded by Vega Industries, an Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) supplier, and Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF).

The interactive e-library has over 30 million resource materials that will benefit the students and staff.

School Principal Amos Kupaloma in his remarks, said the shortage of community health workers and access to health services has always been a challenge for Western Province.

“We are trying to raise the standards of health facilities, and the school’s aim is to prepare more Community Health Workers to serve in these health facilities,” Kupaloma said.

The Principal said training competent CHWs with the vital skills and knowledge, will contribute to quality and cost-effective Primary Health Care services to rural and urban communities, thus fulfilling the PNG government’s National Health Plan.

He was grateful to the school’s Board of Directors, and development partners who have contributed to having this facility completed.

OTML Board Chairman Dr Roger Higgins, who was the guest of honour, was pleased that developments were taking shape in rural areas, and the school is using technology to enhance teaching and learning.

“I commend the school administration for bringing the CHW School this far, since its inception in 1976, and the current development will be valuable in teaching and training future professionals in medicine,” said Dr Higgins.

Dr Higgins encouraged the school to look after the facility and make good use of it.

The new E-library is part of its capacity building, to enable the CHW training school to become a Nursing College.

The school intends to commence its Nursing Diploma program in 2023.

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Foreign Trade

Strengthening Ties with Japan

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Prime Minister James Marape met with the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, before attending the state funeral of Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

PM Marape was accompanied by International Trade and Investment Minister, Richard Maru and East Sepik Governor, Allan Bird.

“Today was just a short, one-day visit to Japan for me, but very important in consolidating relations between our two countries,”

“There are 191 world leaders here today to attend the State Funeral of the late Shinzo Abe, and for PNG to have been accorded the honour of meeting Japanese Prime Minister Kishida is very special,” the PM said.

The Prime Minister also met with executives of Japan’s major energy companies with discussions centred around the LNG project and downstream processing which the Government is pushing for PNG to be more active in.

“Prime Minister Kishida, during our discussions, highlighted Japan’s need for energy security as well as the need for trade between our two countries to grow.”

Japan through its JX Nippon Oil and Gas Company is a joint venture with Nippon PNG LNG, which has interests in the PNG LNG Project. Since the 1st shipment, PNG has supplied approximately a 7.9million tonnes of liquefied natural gas every year to the world market, and Japan is one country that PNG supplies.

Japan is also involved in other major projects like the K692million Nadzab Airport Redevelopment Project which is currently in its construction phase. The project is captured under Japan’s Economic Corporation program which aims to improve PNG’s economy and broaden internationalization.

“Prime Minister Kishida highlighted the fact that PNG is an important bilateral partner of Japan,” said Marape.

Prime Minister Marape concluded his meeting by assuring the Japanese Prime Minister that outstanding trade treaties between the two countries will resume and PNG will continue to assist Japan where necessary, especially in its energy security needs.

The Prime Minister left for the United States where he will attend the Pacific Islands Summit in Washington DC.

Prime Minister James Marape and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during their meeting this morning in Tokyo. Picture by PM’s Department
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News

PNG Sports Media Ready To Assist Solomon Islands in 2023

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Papua New Guinea Sports Media Association (PNGSMA) is prepared to assist the Solomon Islands with its Media & Communications Plan for the 2023 Pacific Games. 

PNG SMA President Peter Sevara Jr said the onus is on PNG to ensure the “Happy Isles” obtain the best from their aspirations.

“Both countries continue to benefit from Government to Government relations over the years and it is no different this time around.”

“While Team PNG will also come to compete, the onus is on PNG to ensure their experiences of hosting big games will come in handy to assist the Solomon Islands to achieve a successful outcome,” Sevara said.

The President and PNGSMA Secretary Isaac Liri are both attending the Pacific Sports Media Dialogue in Honiara in conjunction with the 6th Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Media Summit from the 26th to the 30th of this month.

The Pacific Sports Media dialogue hosted by the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) has been assisting PNG and four other Pacific Islands to set up its Sports Journalist Association over the past five years.

“Collaboration throughout the Pacific region is what we need and I believe we have enough capacity to reach out to our brothers and sisters to offer them a hand in building their preparedness.”

“We are only as good as those around us so in true Pacific fashion let’s support each other because we understand each other more,” Sevara added.

Sevara said the current Melanesian Spearhead Group Prime Ministers Cup hosted in Vanuatu is an example of the region coming together to build awareness of our capacity and foster mutual relationships.

The meet was graced by Koroi Hawkins, a part Solomon Islander and Fijian who was employed by Radio New Zealand International straight out of Solomon Islands.

Hawkins shared that news from our region has always been negative but said sports reporters in the pacific can change that.

He added that the opportunity to use their sport writing skills to change negative perceptions of our region lies on their shoulders because, in world news, pacific sports news travels faster and further throughout the world than any other news genre.

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News

Safety and Heights Training

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The Training Department at Ramu NiCo Management Limited’s, Basamuk Refinery has continued its training schedules for employees with a focus on new employees who have no experience in working at certain heights and its safety measures.

Health Safety and Environment Trainer Maria Poha said the training conducted was to introduce these safety measures to the new employees.

“The training is focused on three-point contact when climbing, once on elevated platforms, they must remember to hook on when using the safety harness as well as how to use the elevated work platform’s equipment,” Poha said.

The training began with a theory component and finished with the practical component.

Trainee Dagau Sokar said the training will enable them to work safely at different heights in their respective departments and it also shows what is expected of them when they are out on the field.

Another training like the Permit to Work System and Work and Job Safety Analysis was also conducted.

These will enable the workers to analyze any work-related hazards and come up with better safety measures.

This training is compulsory under the Mining Act, including the Safety and Regulatory Operations of the mine.

Employees at the Basamuk Refinery after the Safety Training. Picture by Ramu NiCo Media
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News

MSG PM’s Cup Vital For a United Melanesia

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Sport is a vital tool for development and when it is driven strategically encompassing as many values as possible the impact it has on a region or globally can be quite profound.

The Melanesian Spearhead Group Prime Ministers Cup presently hosted in Vanuatu aims to enhance bilateral agreements and partnerships for the Melanesian people.

PNG Sports Foundation Executive Director Albert Veratau is adamant that Sport can act as a tool for change by uniting our people.

Veratau is in Vanuatu after facilitating PNG participation in the revived competition through collaborative efforts from various Government partners.

“Melanesian people alone make up over 50% of the population in the Pacific region. These are the people from the five countries in PNG, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia including the regions in West Papua, the Torres Strait Islanders and the Australian Aboriginals.”

“Together we will have an impact on the global stage but we need strategic and necessary decisions to unite our sub-region,” Veratau said.

Melanesian countries are already making an impact in sports like Rugby Union, Beach Volleyball, Soccer, Rugby League and Futsal with its people among the stars of high-level competitions like NRL in Australia, Super League in England, and Super Rugby in the Southern Hemisphere.

PNG alone with over 8 million population has taken the necessary steps to initiate talks for the revival of the Melanesian Cup through the MSG Sports Secretariat through former chairman John Susuve, a senior officer of the PNG Sports Foundation.

Now a FIFA-sanctioned event that will in future include a women’s edition, plans are mooted to bring other sports into the fold.

“This is the best in Melanesia and the Pacific coming together to enhance their skills and showcasing some amazing talents.”

“The more we come together to celebrate our skills there lies the more opportunities for strengthening ties and developing collaborative programs for improved outcomes.”

“Conversations on development goals must be had sooner rather than later to define our role in the Pacific and Oceania region,” said Susuve.

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News

PINA Summit Underway in Honiara

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The 6th Pacific Media Summit of 2022 commenced yesterday with pre-summit workshops in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

InsidePNG is amongst media persons and delegates within the Pacific region including Australia and New Zealand who have convened in the Solomon Islands for the biennial event.

With the fast evolution of technological advances in the world, the Pacific region is no exception. Archiving Pacific stories and its rich cultural heritage is in a more vulnerable state than ever before and the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Summit is focused on the theme: Digital Revolution: Transforming threats into opportunities for the Pacific Media.

The weeklong series of workshops will be facilitated by UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), PINA, Australian Broadcasting Corporation and its Media Development Initiative, Pacific Media Assistance Scheme, and Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC).

Pre-Summit topics which started yesterday (26th Sept) included Media Role in Investigating the Management of Public Resources and ‘Sports Media Dialogue.

Today, (27th Sept) the summit is covering Digitising Archives and Preserving Pacific stories, Reporting on Sports integrity & corruption in the Pacific and Digital Communications safety and Security. The plenary sessions are presented via the partnership of PACJM, PINA, and UNODC.

Throughout the week the group will look at topics such as ‘the media and political leadership in a digital age, shrinking spaces for media freedom, and digitising archives and preserving Pacific stories’.

The Summit also hopes to ensure participants have a better understanding of the role of the media in investigating the management of public resources; how to increase reporting on UNCAC and anti-corruption by Pacific Island journalists, and transfer knowledge of corruption awareness to other media in-country as trainers and through partnerships; and specifically, the participants will have clarity and understanding on how to access more information and resources on the management of public resources.

“While we don’t have the capacity as developing countries to fully digitise our content, monetary-wise, It is extremely important to start the process of digitising our content in whatever means and ways we can, especially Pacific Island content as it captures the rich history of our island countries,” said Kora Nou, the President of PINA.

The Summit will conclude on Friday, 30th September 2022 with a PINA retreat and General Conference.

Journalists and Media Persons from the Pacific in the opening workshop in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Picture by Hare Haro
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Court

Lawyer on Media Misinformation

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The Lawyer representing the wife of the late Sam Basil in a case has called on the media to be properly informed before reporting on court matters.

Felix Waingi of the Albright Lawyers in Lae made this statement following a newspaper article published on the 20th of September regarding the arrest of Shalatee Dong Basil, wife of the late MP, Sam Basil.

On the 9th of September, the accused appeared before the Lae District Court for mention of alleged offences of breaking in and stealing. Waingi who is Mrs Basil’s lawyer said the article had the wrong name of the magistrate that presided over the case on the 9th.

Waingi said the article mentioned Magistrate Lorna Sani when it was Senior Provincial Magistrate Pius Tapil who presided over the case. He added, the reporter based the report on a police-hand-up brief, which he says was not yet ready before the court.

Mr Waingi further added the public depends on the media for accurate and appropriate information to report on issues happening in the country.

“We can’t have the media reporting biased and misinformation because the public consumes the information as their gospel truth,” Waingi said.

He said for a country like PNG, the public views allegations reported by the mainstream media as facts, whereas social media is used to make defamatory conclusions against the accused.

“I urged the mainstream media to be independent and report responsibly with the appropriate and right information so everyone is well informed,” Waingi said.

Meanwhile, Mrs Basil will appear for her committal hearing on the 4th of November. She is currently out on a K5000 bail with conditions.

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