papua new guinea

Review into Australia Defence Treaty

Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, was also in attendance of the Korea-Pacific Islands Summit and spoke to PM Marape on the margins of the meeting in regards to the Treaty.

Marape invites France President to visit PNG

The invitation was extended during a meeting between PM Marape and Walid Fouque, Special Advisor for Asia and the Pacific to President Macron, held in Port Moresby on Monday.

Marape and President Macron previously met in Gabon, Central Africa, in March of this year on the sidelines of the One Forest Summit.

While discussing the potential visit, PM Marape stated: "There is a possibility that President Macron may visit PNG, however, this is subject to continued dialogue between France and PNG," expressing optimism about the potential visit.

Kimbe market redevelopment houses top facilities

Taking center stage is the nearing completion of the Kimbe Market redevelopment project in West New Britain, which places great emphasis on environmental sustainability throughout its design. Here are the notable features incorporated into the market:

The market buildings will be equipped with an impressive array of 100 solar panels, harnessing the power of the sun to supply electricity and lighting, reducing the reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

PNG economy on recovery

According to the World Bank’s latest Economic Update, PNG’s fiscal deficit is estimated to have narrowed to 5.4 percent of GDP in 2022, compared to 6.8 percent in 2021 which reflects the Government’s continued fiscal consolidation and work to safeguard macroeconomic stability.

The World Bank Papua New Guinea Economic Update reports has recommended that the country must continue implementing its plan to reduce the budget deficit.

Indonesian President to visit PNG

Confirmation of the one-day visit on July 6, 2023, was made during a meeting between Prime Minister Marape and Indonesian Ambassador to PNG, Andriana Supandi, in Port Moresby last Friday, June 2, 2023.

President Widodo’s State Visit to PNG follows PM Marape’s State Visit to Indonesia in March 2022.

Also present at the meeting were Indonesian Embassy officials and PNG Foreign Affairs Secretary Elias Wohengu.

Missionaries’ children retrace steps

Ulrike Ixmeier said this after visiting Lucgaweng, Simbang, Heldsbach, Sattelberg, Tami Island at Finschhafen, Katherine Lehman School in Wau, Morobe Province, and then to Onerunka and Raipinka in Kainantu early this month before returning to Germany last week.

Mrs Ixmeier said first Lutheran missionary Johann Flierl is her great grandfather who started the Lutheran church and preached the Word of God in Papua New Guinea while her grandfather, who is Johannes Flierl, and father Helmut Flierl, were missionaries at Lutheran missionary stations in the early 1940s to 1970s.

Economy recovered after lifting of COVID-19 restrictions

According to the Bank of PNG Monetary Policy Statement for March 2023, Acting Governor Elizabeth Genia said the Central Bank expects this growth to continue into 2023 driven by increased activity in the non-mineral sector, supported by the Government’s expansionary fiscal policy2 and growth in the mineral sector.

She said the external sector is projected to weaken in 2023 mainly reflecting a decline in commodity prices due to a slowdown in the global economy.

Bolstering Security Cooperation

The US is also in support of expanding people-to-people connections, advocating for climate action, clean energy, and sustainable infrastructure, and efforts for economic partnership and recovery

“We are strengthening our cooperation with Pacific Islands countries on improving maritime domain awareness, combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and countering transnational criminal activity.”

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PNG, Korea sign Visa Waiver arrangements

Marape said work for this arrangement started in 2016.

“We have worked on this since 2016. I believe the delay was on our part but it is better late than never,” he said.

Marape said PNG and Korea already participated in the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) scheme, where members used the ABTC cards as a visa, to travel to other member economies and also as a visa exemption or entry permit to travel within the confines of member economies.

Pushing for Justice: Jopok Akepalua

While studying at St Fidelis College, a seminary in Madang, he was called back to his district, Kagua-Erave in the Southern Highlands, to teach Grade Six due to a shortage of teachers.

Seeing the people in his society affected by violence and tribal fights, Jopok felt compelled to take up studies in law and justice so that he could help his people.

He applied for an Australia Awards Scholarship to study a Bachelor of Justice in Investigations, Policing and Justice Policy at the University of Queensland.