Development Policy Centre

“With 110 positive cases as of 2 August, and two recorded deaths, fears are growing that these numbers will continue to grow exponentially in the coming weeks.

“Most of the cases are concentrated in PNG’s largest and most populous city, Port Moresby, where the purpose-built COVID-19 complex has 72 beds. There are serious concerns that the city will not be able to handle more cases.

They warned that lack of access to foreign exchange had become the “No 1 issue for business” and if prolonged, could cause PNG to face another “lost decade” of economic growth, similar to what happened in the 1990s.

The four economists presenting at the Development Policy Centre at the Australian National University forum include Prof Stephen Howes, Director Development Policy Centre, Australian National University; Nelson Nama, School of Business and Public Policy, UPNG Rohan Fox, Research Officer, Development Policy Centre, ANU and Marcel Schroder.