papua new guinea

Oil Palm continues progress

This has expanded from West New Britain to New Ireland, Oro and Milne Bay provinces and now extends into Madang, Morobe, West Sepik, East Sepik and East New Britain.

The Farmers and Settlers Association in a circular stated that in a recent statistics for  oil palm since the enactment of the Oil Palm Industry Corporation Act, 1992 has shown a steady increase in production and exports of crude palm oil.

A Look Into the Dual Roles of MPs

Authored by Michael Kabuni, a PhD Candidate from the Australian National University, Kabuni highlights the issues, and argues for the need to start a national conversation on the dual roles of Members of Parliament.

The paper was initially presented in February 2022 during the National Conference facilitated by the Autonomy and Decentralization Research Institute led by Dr Thomas Webster. 

“China’s presence not a security threat”

State Counselor and Foreign Minister for China, Qin Gang, has raised China’s concerns on the proposed PNG-Australia Bilateral Security Treaty and its intended purposes. 

Gang reiterated that China’s presence in the Pacific is not a security threat and went on to seek reassurance that the purported bilateral security arrangement with Australia was not in some way seeking to counter China’s influence in PNG and the Pacific. 

WHO evaluates emergency preparedness

Director of Health Security and Emergencies, Dr. Babatunde Olowokure, met with the WHO country office emergencies team, key partners, and stakeholders to discuss future plans to enhance emergency preparedness and response in PNG.

He visited the Eastern Highlands province and met with provincial health authorities and other stakeholders to discuss how WHO can further support the provincial level in health emergency preparedness and response in the future, based on lessons learned during the COVID-19 response.

Drug seized at h’way checkpoint

Police officers who were doing motorist patrol along the Hiritano Highway were notified of the movement of the nine men who were travelling from Tapani into Port Moresby.

Central Provincial police commander Superintendent John Midi said the police officers were doing motorist check at Doa towards Agevairu on vehicles travelling along the highway when they sighted a suspicious Toyota Land Cruiser that had nine people inside the vehicle.

BOC appeal for economy

Speaking during a press conference today, Deputy Chairman of the Body of Christ churches, Pastor Michael Wilson raised concern about people not having enough money to take care of themselves.

The worsening economic situation in the country affecting families and communities has prompted the Body of Christ Churches to appeal to the government to seriously find strategies to improve the situation.

Reciprocal Visa Exemption signed off

This was announced by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justin Tkatchenko today before his travel to Indonesia.

Minister is concerned with these outstanding issues and aims to ratify long overdue corporation, agreements and treaties over the next coming months.

“We have officially passed the Reciprocal Visa Arrangements between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia so those that have a Diplomatic Passport or Official Passport can get Visa on arrival here in PNG and also in Indonesia.

Tkatchenko travels to Indonesia

The long outstanding Border Agreement was reviewed three times with the latest review in 2013. Minister Tkatchenko on Wednesday 15th of March Parliament sitting, successfully rectified the process.

The ratification will pave the way for both governments to review the current status of the border and constructively address outstanding issues that affect both countries.

Australia Visa Office coming soon

After last month’s announcement for the Australia Visa Office move to Port Moresby, Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin Tkatchenko today announced that the Visa Office will be established in the coming months.

This will make life easier for travel to and from the two countries, Minister Tkatchenko said that his aim is to work on outstanding issues in the department as well as better the relationship with partners and neighbours.

NZ acknowledges PNG workers

He stated this during the meet with the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carmel Sepuloni.

“We note Samoa's concern of skilled shortages it experienced, which resulted in it suspending its participation in the programme at the moment. However, for PNG we have a lot of semi-skilled youth population that we want to utilize under this programme,” Minister Tkatchenko stated.