Patrick Pruaitch

The Government has imposed  this tax burden to encourage people to be mindful of their health and take ownership of their lifestyle.

Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch when presenting the 2017 Budget in Parliament today said the consumption of alcohol and tobacco has associated social implications which the Government continues to face through increased funding for law and order, manpower, free primary health care, social awareness and education.

More so, he said the consumption of such goods contributes to poverty and wasteful expenditure.

This comprise of K9,182.2 million in tax revenue, K1,045.3 million in grants and K1,245.7 million from other sources of revenue.

Pruaitch, when announcing the 2017 Budget in a Budget Lock-up session today said the Budget has been framed in a way that will still prioritise the key government areas which include the education and health sector.

This was stated in Parliament on Wednesday October 27 by Treasurer, Patrick Pruaitch, when presenting the National Economic and Fiscal Commission Annual Reports from 2010 to 2014.

Pruaitch said function grants increased significantly from K250 million in 2010 to K520 million in 2014.

This is due to the adoption of a new inter-governmental finance system which allows for district’s to have access to more funding based on the cost of services in their districts.

Kua directed his questions to Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch during Parliament on Tuesday asking for an assurance about the 2017 Budget before the Government tabled it.

He claimed that the revenue had not been keeping phase with the expenditure component of the Budget.

“Can the Treasurer give us some assurance that he will be able to align the expenditure with the revenue so that we can be fully execute the budget before the end of the year?”

Speaking today at the launch of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) software programs in Port Moresby, PNG Customs boss Ray Paul on behalf of Pruaitch said such software programs will provide a competitive environment.

“It is through such that we will provide a competitive environment that is conducive to promoting trade and investment in our country resulting in increased fiscal economic performance and macro-economic growth.”

Treasury Minister, Patrick Pruaitch, made the statement in the publication of the 2016 Second Quarter (Fund Released Report).

Pruaitch says the funding to the Provinces, Districts, and Local Level Governments are to to implement priority projects and while maintaining transparency at all levels of Government.

Pruaitch says the Government remains committed to achieving development across the country, particularly through its continued efforts to transform the rural economy.

Treasury Minister Patrick Pruaitch signed the deal with the Asian Development Bank’s Country Director Marcelo Minc on Thursday October 6, 2016.

The loan is part of the ongoing US$400 million (K1, 196.17m) multi-tranche financing facility road program that was approved since 2008.

These programs will address 2,500km of major national, provincial and some district roads and improve the capacity of National Roads Authority (NRA) and Department of Works to deliver quality road infrastructure. 

The new smartphone was officially launched in Port Moreby by Minister for Treasury Patrick Pruaitch last night.

Pruaitch congratulated Huawei for introducing this product into the PNG market and meeting the demand of customers.

The Huawei P9 enables you to capture high quality pictures without compromising on the handset’s sleek and compact style.

The P9 offers 3 film mode to ensure images are timeless and have a unique emotional resonance.

“Tomorrow (today) they will go into their regional grouping to come up with a winning strategy for their region, for the next two days,” NA parliamentary leader Patrick Pruaitch said.

Speaking during the party’s major fundraising dinner yesterday in Port Moresby, Pruaitch is confident to win more seats in the national elections next year.

“We will be able to agree and finalise our strategy and our candidates for the 2017 General Elections.

Parliamentary leader and Minister for Treasury Patrick Pruaitch said the party has a legacy of a political party that functions as a serious political organization.

"It has had its challenges, its ups and downs and is now ever determined to rise up again through the normal electoral processes to be the leading political party," says Pruaitch.

The dinner will be held at the Stanley Hotel and Suites with entertainment by Patti Potts Doi and the Mysterious Tabar Dancers.