Santos together with the Papua New Guinea Cancer Foundation (PNGCF) are pleased to announce the launch of the 18th Daffodil Corporate Golf Challenge to be held on Friday, 02nd September 2022 at the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club. Santos Country Chair, PNG, Mr Leon Buskens at the launch event said, “We recognize the golf tournament not only funds PNGCF’s annual programs, but it is also an important platform to spotlight the alarming statistics being seen and felt in our country especially with breast and cervical cancer in our women.” For the last 18 years, the support provided to the cancer foundation has reached communities across the country extending Santos’ impact in health, education and youth empowerment. The company is now looking to invest more heavily in cancer prevention through greater collaboration with other partners including the National Department of Health. “We cannot continue doing the same things and expect a better result as the gap has grown worse. It will take every one of us in both the public and private sectors to fight this disease. We owe it to all those touched by cancer and to our future generations,” said Mr Buskens. Representing the PNGCF Board, Dr Lynda Sirigoi (PNGCF, Deputy Chair) thanked Santos for its commitment to the Daffodil campaign and assistance with hosting the annual Golf Event. “It is my pleasure to launch the 2022 Daffodil Corporate Golf Challenge on behalf of the board of the Papua New Guinea Cancer Foundation and to also thank Santos for their continued commitment to the Daffodil Campaign for the 18th year.” The Santos-funded golf event has been an annual activity on the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club’s charity event calendar since 2003, receiving great support from Port Moresby’s private and business community every year. The annual golf day is hosted by PNGCF under the Daffodil Campaign to encourage individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices to reduce their cancer risk and to inspire the message of hope for a healthier Papua New Guinea. In spite of the challenge of returning to normalcy after COVID-19, PNGCF has conducted 20 community visits to implement its public health and cancer prevention education programs schedule with the assistance generated at the 2021 Daffodil Golf event (a sum of K144,000 was raised from team registrations, an auction and raffle sales). With this support, PNGCF extended its reach to over 500 men and women through 10 awareness sessions in settlement communities across the National Capital District. A total of 10 hybrid sessions (in-person and virtual) for corporate & business houses were also conducted, and up to 9,000 Information Education Communication, or IEC materials (awareness brochures and flyers) were distributed through the community visits. The PNGCF programs schedule will continue into next year with provincial programs to be conducted in Momase region (Lae and Madang Provinces). PNGCF Executive Manager, Ms Priscillar Napoleon acknowledged key supporters of the Daffodil campaign and the cancer foundation such as Moore Printing, Telikom Limited, The National and BSP Finance. "At last year’s golf day, we saw an overwhelming 44 teams register for the Daffodil Corporate Golf Challenge with Origin Energy taking the title. We have 20 teams registered at present including Marsh Limited, Motu-Koita Assembly, PNG Ports, RH Group, and Origin Energy, defending the Daffodil Cup. We are keen on receiving more registrations in the coming weeks," Ms Napoleon said.

Postnatal care is an essential part of safe motherhood and child delivery. The Waniati Maternal Waiting Hut (WMWH) in Goroka is a place dedicated especially to pregnant women in disadvantaged situations. Through our Community Grant Support Program, the association was able to construct a postnatal building in Okiufa Village within Goroka district - adding to it's facility a much-needed hand in housing mothers who usually find it difficult during the repatriation process. Waniati Maternal Waiting Hut ensures food and accommodation, labour ward items such as maternity pads, soap and toilet paper are provided to the women, including transport from the hut to the hospital labour ward or when the mothers are repatriated back home. Director Victor Timothy, a Man of Honour recipient and his wife Sr. Bolena Azimo have given their time in serving their community selflessly by giving up their time, effort, money and land to house this program. Officiating the opening, Digicel PNG Foundation Regional Manager, Brian Malone, thanked the community and everyone involved in the successful program. "It's humbling to meet people who are so dedicated in committing their life to the betterment of their communities; and it’s very rare." Appreciating the efforts, Mr Timothy thanked the Digicel PNG Foundation and other partners saying "It serves the whole eastern Highlands Province; that's the only waiting hut. We even get mothers as far as from the Simbu and Madang Province." Waniati Maternal Waiting Hut will now meet the demanding needs for better maternity and postnatal care within the Province and contribute towards minimizing the high rate of maternal and infant mortality rates in Eastern Highlands Province and the country as a whole.

Nambawan Super and Kumul Hotels Ltd, trading as Holiday Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express, are pleased to announce the renewal of their Discount Partnership which caters to all Nambawan Super members. Nambawan Super members, with membership ID cards, can now enjoy a whopping 20% off Best Available Accommodation Rates at both the Holiday Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express and an exceptional 15% discount on the mouth-watering food and beverages on offer at the Kopi Haus Restaurant and Gekko Bar. Area General Manager Mr Mauro Leone when signing the agreement expressed that Kumul Hotels Ltd, trading as Holiday Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express, has always maintained a strong relationship with Nambawan Super. The Discount Partnership provides an opportunity to connect with the Fund’s members through their excellent service offerings. Mr Leone said, “Our brands are household names throughout Papua New Guinea connecting with different need states’ of guests. Both hotels are very strong brands in their respective global category, hence the target guest type specific to each brand will vary. Holiday Inn & Suites is the ‘family friendly’ hotel, whilst the Holiday Inn Express targets the ‘smart traveller onthe-go’. “Our Kopi Haus Restaurant and Gekko Bar outlets cater to a wide range of guests both domestic and international, with a diverse food and beverage offering to suit all needs” “We hope that all Nambawan Super members, both Port Moresby based and travelling in from other provinces, can have a chance to experience the high standard of service on offer with us through this Partnership”, he added. Nambawan Super Limited CEO Mr Paul Sayer stated that through this renewed Partnership, Holiday Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express re-join over 160 participating businesses across the Country as a Nambawan Discount Provider. “We are very pleased to be renewing this partnership and upgrading the discount rates with Kumul Hotels Ltd as it allows our members to access the world class dining and accommodation experience on offer at the Holiday Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express”, Mr Sayer remarked. “As an investee company of Nambawan Super, Kumul Hotels Ltd has been a key partner throughout the years in delivering returns for our members and now members have the added benefit of enjoying the product of their invested funds”. “Being the majority shareholder of Kumul Hotels Ltd with a 55% shareholding, Nambawan Super is committed to growing this partnership and exploring more opportunities to deliver returns for our over 214,000 members”, he added. Nambawan Super members, including members of RSA and Choice Super, can shop and save with several leading PNG businesses every time they present their Member ID cards Nambawan Super members can request a Membership ID card via email: callcentre@nambawansuper.com.pg or FREE CALL 180 1599 or by visiting their nearest Branch, to participate in the Discount Program. Nambawan Super offers over 160 discount providers across Papua New Guinea, where Members can shop and save, every time they present their Member ID cards.

 “The historical Mt Hagen Show is on again this weekend (Saturday 20th to Sunday 21st August, 2022) and BSP Financial Group is proud to be supporting the show as Bronze sponsors,” said BSP Mt Hagen Branch Manager Theresa Pilamp. Mrs Pilamp in presented a dummy cheque of K20,000 to the show organisers on Thursday 18th August, 2022, said BSP is pleased to be supporting the oldest show in the country that not only showcases people and culture but continues to strengthen community and business relationships in the Highlands region and PNG as a whole. “At BSP we grow with our communities and to support events like this enhances our relationships with the community while promoting tourism at the same time. The Mt Hagen Show was first staged in 1964, and it continues to bring together a mixture of tribal traditions and modern entertainment at the famous Mt Hagen show grounds “BSP has been a long time partner of the Mt Hagen Show and is proud to continue supporting it. With this sponsorship, we wish the organisers the very best this weekend,” Mrs Pilamp added. Manager of the show committee John Bonny, in receiving the sponsorship support thanked BSP for its continued support to the show. Up to 100 tribes will attend where they will share their cultural traditions through their costumes, dancing and music.

The SP PNG Hunters are delighted to announce that approval has been given by the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) for the club return home to Papua New Guinea next week. The homecoming will coincide with the SP PNG Hunters’ Round 20 Hostplus Cup fixture with the Mackay Cutters, which will now be played at the Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday, 27th August with kickoff at 3pm. SP PNG Hunters CEO Scott Barker has welcomed the news. “We have been working tirelessly with the QRL over the last few months to bring the Hunters home and it’s exciting to see that become a reality next week,” Barker said. “The club is extremely grateful for the support and guidance of the QRL and the processes they have followed to support our safe return home.” The Hunters’ return to PNG next week is made possible thanks to the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports Program and Newcrest Mining Limited, owner of the Lihir Gold Project, who are co-funding the operation. Tickets for the SP PNG Hunters v Mackay Cutters Round 20 Hostplus Cup game will go on sale at the National Football Stadium, Port Moresby from next Wednesday, 24th August.  

The Bank South Pacific yesterday donated one hundred school desks to Holy Spirit Primary School in Madang Province under the initiative of the BSP community Project 2022. Head Master of Holy spirit Primary, Mr Francis Arigini, shared the difficulties faced by the school as they were in need of school materials due to the influx of students. Arigini stressed that with almost two thousand plus students attending Holy Spirit Primary, it was a need as it would have cost a lot for the school to get 100 desks. He further stated this will greatly help the school to sustain the growing number of students in holy spirit primary school. “We thank the BSP for being able to donate these many desks for our students to use. Though it cost a lot, we are very privileged to have been given this.” “They have made the effort in purchasing these desks for us and so it is our responsibility now to look after them.” The school was pleased to receive the hundred desk being presented to them by the Chief executive officer of the Bank of South Pacific, Robin Fleming, who is currently in Madang attending a board meeting. The school was also fortunate to have their run down basketball court being upgraded and maintained as well under the BSP community project.

Australia is contributing $2.25 million (over PGK5.5 million) in humanitarian assistance to support women, men and children impacted by violence in the Papua New Guinea Highlands. Australian funding and supplies are helping to address the immediate humanitarian needs of those affected by the ongoing violence and displacement occurring in the region. We are also supporting logistics and humanitarian coordination capabilities, to ensure supplies of food, water, protection, and shelter can be delivered to those in need. We have been pleased to have been able to already reach some of the displaced communities in Porgera and Mt Hagen with humanitarian supplies delivered by CARE and their local partners. Australia’s contribution responds to the National Disaster Centre’s request for support and the priorities identified by the Disaster Management Team, jointly led by PNG and the United Nations. Our package builds on our long-term efforts to address the underlying causes of the crisis, including our support for humanitarian operations led by the International Committee of the Red Cross as well as our support for law and justice programs in the highlands. Australia remains committed to supporting PNG to address shared challenges and we are coordinating closely with PNG disaster management officials, the United Nations and other donors on the response effort. Our collective approach has strengthened cooperation on humanitarian and disaster response in the region.

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Papua New Guinea (ASFPNG) has called on the Marape Government to rescind its recent decision to impose the K190 million banking levy. The decision to introduce the Market Concentration Levy as part of the Income Tax Act to collect K190 million per annum will affect Bank South Pacific (BSP), the largest bank in PNG and South Pacific, of whom superannuation funds on behalf of ordinary workers and taxpayers are major shareholders. The imposition of the banking levy will result in a decline in profitability, dividend payments to shareholders and a decline in BSP’s share price. This is a double blow for superannuation funds as annual crediting rates for members will be affected by lower revenues and portfolio balances. K190 million represents between 2% to 3% annual crediting rate for the major super funds, which have benefited from strong dividend payments and capital gains due to the strong performance of BSP over the years. “ASFPNG calls on the new Government of Prime Minister James Marape to rescind the decision of the previous National Executive Council (NEC) and withdraw the banking levy in the interests of all workers who are members of our superannuation funds. “BSP has instigated court proceedings that challenge the imposition of the banking levy and ASFPNG has applied to be an intervener in the case. As well, former Opposition Leader Belden Namah was recently granted a standing order by the Supreme Court to challenge the NEC decision. These court proceedings will cease if the banking levy is withdrawn. “We are cognizant of the Government’s endeavours to raise more revenue internally and will support initiatives that achieve their objectives but not at the expense of ordinary workers who are already doing it tough. We reiterate that any Government decision that lessens the prospect for growth and investment returns in not in the best interests of workers. “We again ask the Marape Government to rescind its previous decision and allow for wider consultation.”

With the scores locked 22-22 and golden point beckoning it was tireless back-rower Liam Martin who surged over from close range to secure the Panthers' 19th win of the season. After a ferocious start defensively the Panthers were able to cash in when Stephen Crichton swooped on a scrappy Damien Cook pass and raced 60 metres to score. The centre converted his own try for a 6-0 lead after just four minutes. The Rabbitohs then produced some crisp attack and went close to scoring in the right hand corner but Jaxson Paulo was denied by desperation defence by Viliame Kikau and Sean O'Sullivan.   The Panthers No.7 then produced a 40-20 in his team's next set but they were unable to capitalise and the Rabbitohs rolled straight up the other end and crossed when Alex Johnston finished off slick work from Cody Walker and Isaiah Tass. An error from Latrell Mitchell in the play-the-ball gave the Panthers field position and Dylan Edwards made the Bunnies pay when he raced 30 metres to score his eighth try of the season. Both sides then butchered try scoring opportunities - Paulo spilling the ball over the line for Souths before Martin made a mess of a put-down after chasing through a grubber kick. It was the Rabbitohs who made amends soon after when Mitchell delivered a sublime flick pass to Walker who left Edwards in his wake to score under the posts. A penalty against Kikau for ruck interference gave the Rabbitohs a chance to level up at 12-12 and that's how they went to the break. The second half opened in frenzied fashion with Paulo seeming certain to score when he went for an intercept 20 metres out from Penrith's line only to spill the ball. Mitchell then took off from his own end and got to halfway before throwing a high pass to Paulo who couldn't handle. The Panthers continued the trend of bombed chances when Martin got over the line again and failed to ground the ball but took the lead 14-12 through a Crichton penalty goal in the 50th minute. Four minutes later the premiers extended their lead when Api Koroisau kicked out of dummy half and Spencer Leniu grounded the ball after Jai Arrow failed to clean up in-goal. Down by eight with 18 minutes to play, the Rabbitohs hit back when centre Campbell Graham celebrated his return from injury with a try, finishing off good lead-up work by Keaon Koloamatangi and Mitchell. In the 70th minute Johnston continued his remarkable try scoring form when he crossed in the corner courtesy of a majestic pass from Walker and Mitchell slotted the conversion from touch to make it 22-20 to Souths. The Panthers drew level with four minutes to play when Mitchell dived on the ball in the ruck just out from the Souths line and was ruled to have been inside the 10 metres. A dropped bomb by Paulo with three minutes to play gave the Panthers a chance to break the deadlock and Martin powered over from close range to wrap up a memorable win. Source: NRL.com

Madang Province has a new governor-elect in People's First Party candidate, Ramsey Pariwa, who had surpassed the absolute majority of 107, 934 after piling on 109, 888 votes at the 34th exclusion to oust the incumbent governor Peter Yama. Second runner up was Jerry Singirok from Pangu Party who scored a total of 65,128 votes while trailing on third place was Allegiance party candidate Benny Panti who scored a total of 41,764 votes. Incumbent Governor for Madang, Peter Yama was eliminated in exclusion 34 and his elimination determined the winner, in the leading candidate who had bypassed the absolute majority. Preparation is underway for the official declaration for Mr. Pariwa as the new governor after he signs the writs. Photo Courtesy: Kenneth Rapa

 The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), under the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, has launched an Innovation Fund to stimulate investments in Cocoa, Vanilla and Fisheries businesses as well as to promote development of local companies and entrepreneurs in the Greater Sepik Region of Papua New Guinea. The Fund supports PNG registered companies, licensed business people and cooperatives, associations and value chain actors in launching, expanding and introducing new agri-businesses and innovative solutions in East Sepik and Sandaun provinces. Financed by the European Union, the STREIT Innovation Fund provides up to a maximum of PGK 1,000,000 of non-cash support to successful applicants, as follows: •     SMEs and large enterprises: up to PGK 1,000,000 •     Micro Enterprises: up to PGK 350,000 •     Other Value Chain Actors: up to PGK 175,000 •     Other Beneficiaries: up to PGK 35,000 The support includes training, services, technologies, and technical equipment. During recent information awareness sessions held in the two provinces, Dr Pavel Burian, Deputy Programme Coordinator of the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, explained that the support ranges between PGK 35,000 and PGK 1 million and “is in-kind in the form of service, training, equipment and technology, and not in the form of any financial contribution, such as loan or grant.” He added: “This support will be limited to 70% of the intervention costs where the applicant must mobilise at least 30% of the total amount of the required inputs, in cash or in-kind.” Focus on Empowering Women and Youths Deputy Coordinator underscored: “For proposals targeting women and youth, a higher percentage of support like up to 80% will be given. This to ensure and foster their participation and benefit in line with the Programme’s approach.” Burian also explained that the support to individual interventions would be discussed individually depending on the nature and number of challenges to be addressed, like the number of beneficiaries to be reached and the benefits and contributions that must be in line with the objectives, outcomes and outputs of the EU-STREIT PNG Programme.  A total of 120 interested MSMEs and agripreneurs with high representation from women attended the two information awareness sessions. Many entrepreneurs in the awareness meetings expressed their interest in this opportunity that is available to women and men agripreneurs and agri-food value chain actors in the Greater Sepik region. “I’m excited about this initiative which is the first of its kind for the farmers and agribusinesses. At the community level, this support will add value in many ways; one is to transform our farming practice to operate like a business in terms of sustainability and long-term development,” said Pastor Wilfred Mombiam, who leads 500 plus cocoa farmers in Wewak District of East Sepik under Wilmo Agri Farming. During the information sessions, the participants were informed that an Assessment and Review Committee (ARC) would be formed to review proposals from selected eligible stakeholders/beneficiaries. The Committee comprise representatives from the EU Delegation, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, provincial authorities, the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, and invited technical officers from relevant government agencies in the two provinces.

Prime Minister James Marape is making a call on Australian businesses to consider importing more from Papua New Guinea to balance the disproportionate import-vs-export scale that the two countries have existing between them.  He also wants to see more Australian investors partner with PNG to move his Government’s goals on downstream processing and industrialization closer to realization.   The Prime Minister said this week  as he apologized to the PNG-Australia Business Council for his non-attendance at its recently-concluded conference because of urgent work commitments, but thanked the Council at the same time for continually hosting these forums that keep in the public and investor consciousness trade and investment between the two countries.  The Prime Minister said: “I thank the council for its continued conferences, seminars and forums but what else will they hear from me?  “I have been speaking my mind since 30 May 2019. They know me. I am pro-Papua New Guinea business while I encourage strongly foreign businesses who let Papua New Guinean partnership and engagement.  “We want to Take Back More from our natural and national wealth with a balanced view that our genuine foreign investors make a return on their investments.  “We want to move now into industrialization by tapping into downstream processing of our natural resources.   “I want to ask Australia companies to seriously partner PNG companies in the area of PNG building a stronger diversified economy and it is about time Australia buy more of PNG’s products.”  While appreciating the sturdy relationship already existing between the two countries, the Prime Minister pointed out that new heights could be reached if Australia could push its trade & investment boundaries further by exploring these named options.   “Australia and PNG businesses have had a relationship for along time and that is good but we need to reach new heights. With Australia as a place of export for our products, we have a huge trade imbalance where we import more and export less to Australia.  “We want to send our food, our energy, our finished forest products, and our human resources at all levels to Australia." “I was at Singapore organizing our diplomatic mission to be at the front of our trade, commerce and business engagements with South-East, North and West-Asia where we have over 2 billion people in these markets.  “I am serious about downstream processing of our resources to make an economic leap for PNG. This includes our creating a law-abiding and orderly country, finding cheap energy and using PNG’s bilateral relationships to secure markets for our products.   “It is about time PNG and Australia as close nations politically become even more closer in by having Australian business buying PNG products and hiring PNG workforce.  “Areas like replacing food imports is something I am looking at very seriously so we stop capital flights elsewhere but grow PNG.  “If PNG is stronger economically then Australia and the region benefits with a secure solid nation of millions of people.”