Emmanuel MAIPE

The Brisbane Broncos team are in Port Moresby once again for a visitation to schools, to BSP branches and other organizations, and this morning the team dropped by the PNGFM office to pay a visit to the Yumi FM, Nau FM and Legend FM studios and meeting the staff and radio personalities. Former club Captain and Broncos ambassador, Alex Glen is among the group members that dropped by. The team included Broncos hooker Tyson Smoothy, Cameron Bukowski who joins the NRL Squad this year after graduating from High School, and the NRLW team representatives Romy Teitzel and Annette- Claudia Nu’uausala. Alex, who is on his second visit to Port Moresby, told the PNGFM staff about their trip so far and what they have been doing in the city. He also said that the reception they had from the people was awesome. “We went to some of the schools we yesterday. Some of the branches (BSP) around Port Moresby as well. It’s unbelievable, it’s something you cherish,” said Alex. “Back in Brisbane everyone loves the Broncos, but when you’re here you know you’re at Broncos territory. It’s a beautiful thing.” The former Captain also said that the Broncos legacy that they have is so much more than just footy now, which plays into their trip to Port Moresby. “We got our community programs with the Beyond Broncos, we go out to 54 schools and mentor a lot of youths.” "That’s what it’s about right? It’s about being mentors and leading by example for our kids so that they can go on and achieve greater things that we never did,” he said. Meanwhile, the Broncos team had a fun morning with the PNGFM team, taking questions from the staff and also visiting the studios and photo shoots. The PNGFM steam were also grateful for the visit. The visit by the Broncos team to Port Moresby was made possible once again by its partner BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP).

The very recently held 14th World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) brought to light some of the important things that needed to be addressed going forward in supporting the growth indigenous businesses. The Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru said that it is high time the National Government recognizes the need for Papua New Guinean indigenous businesses. “There are so many Papua new Guinean indigenous entrepreneurs who have done so much without Government support. This Forum allowed them to come and display their products and many of us were really inspired. I am so impressed of the energy and the drive of our people,” said the minister. “They did not wait for the Government; they did what they had to do. Papua New Guineans have the potential and all they need is support. We (government) need to look at how we can support our entrepreneurs, how we can nurture them, and how we can incentivize the growth of the indigenous private sector.” Minister Maru said these are the issues that the State needs to look at and organize itself to support PNG’s indigenous business community, especially in industries that replace imports and grow exports. “Our Government must build a broad-based economy that will create job and generate wealth,” Minister Maru added. Minister Maru said one of the ways to help the local indigenous businesses grow, is through such forums. And with that, the announced that first Papua New Guinea Indigenous Business Forum will be hosted next year with the theme ‘Replacing Imports and Growing Exports’. “We need to help our indigenous businesses to rise up and take their place in this country,” said Minister Maru.

The New Porgera Limited (NPL) is in support of a recent media statement by the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) stating that the recent signing of the Mining Development Contact and the grant of Porgera Special Mining Lease (SML) 13, fully complied with the country's processes and law. Although the SML13 has now been granted under the Mining Act, no mining activities can be conducted by NPL prior to compensation being agreed with landowners or otherwise determined in accordance with the Act. NPL began discussions in Porgera last week with 14 mining tenement landowner clans represented by their agents. Under the Mining Act, compensation agreements are between landowning clans, represented by their agents, and the tenement holder. NPL has asked landowners to agree to continue honouring the old Porgera compensation arrangements to allow the mine to reopen this year, ahead of a review of compensation arrangements planned post reopening of the mine. Any increase in compensation amounts determined as a result of that review will be backdated to ensure that landowners are not prejudiced by the deferral of negotiations. The overwhelming majority of landowner agents from each tenement were in favour of the NPL proposal and expressed their wish to see the mine reopen as soon as possible. They said they had suffered with the mine closure for over 3 years, which had badly impacted the lives of their families and did not want to see restart postponed further. The landowner agents were also adamant that all negotiations on compensation agreements should be held in Porgera and should not involve “paper landowners” living in Port Moresby or elsewhere. NPL representatives plan to return to Porgera next week to continue the discussions with Porgera tenement landowner agents with the aim of reaching a resolution on compensation agreements as quickly as possible, so that the Porgera Mine can restart. The company also intends to commence meetings with the Hides Transmission Line agents next week.

Perhaps one of the significant achievements for local indigenous women in business at the 14th World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) in Port Moresby, was for Papua New Guinea (PNG) to be a part of and be represented at the Indigenous Women in Industry economic summit coming up in New Zealand. Ms. Rachel Petero, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rise2025 Global- an indigenous company, said through her company they have helped in growing indigenous leaders and all women for 7 years now. “We have to build pathways that our women can see the pathway to leadership, see the pathway to entrepreneurship and see the pathway to sustainability,” said Ms. Petero. She said that it is because of this that they have come together to host a first of its kind business get together for all indigenous women in business next year. “As part of Rise, what we’ve been doing is building partnerships and we’ve been building a new partnership which is coming to Aotearoa next year February and that is called IWI, which means tribe in New Zealand.” “So, we a growing an Indigenous Women in Industry global tribe. We’re starting in New Zealand on February 04th and Papua New Guinea is going to be part of this economic summit.” To represent PNG at the IWI summit is Ms. Linda Paru, who was appointed by the New Zealand team as PNG’s new Ambassador for the Indigenous Women in Industry body. Ms. Paru said the appointment came as a surprise to her and she accepted it graciously. Ms. Paru was appointed because of her work in the country to help the progress and success of women operated businesses. “I run a social enterprise, PNG Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs Connect. It’s 10 years old and it has 36, 000 members country wide, and this for me is very big because I see it as a blessing because we worked so hard to help women in business.” “I am greatly honoured representing these women and I’d like to say thank you so much to Rachel and the team, the World Indigenous Business Forum for making this possible.”

Two districts in the Highlands region are ready to establish their own District Youth Development Councils to assist their youths in participating in the development of their districts. The two districts are Sinesine Yongomugl in Simbu province and Wabag in Enga province. The Liaison team from the National Youth Development Authority (NYDA) to Wabag and SineSine Yongomugl Districts conducted on-ground consultations from the 7th to the 10th of October, where they met with the District Development Authorities, Provincial Community Development Advisors, Local Level Government (LLG) Managers, Provincial Administrators, representatives from churches, stakeholders and the youths. The assessment from these consultations concluded that both districts are ready to mobilize their youth leaders in preparation for the establishment process of electing their youth council executives and appointed representatives in compliance to the National Youth Development Authority Act 2014. The liaison team from the NYDA also conducted a desktop youth development mapping exercise to connect potential youth programs and projects after the establishment of the youth councils, and further strengthen partnerships and collaboration with key actors in sustaining the operations of the youth councils and programs in both Districts.

The increasing rate of development and economic growth in Papua New Guinea (PNG) would see the country become a go- to- country for investments in next decade. The Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru said that this presents a great opportunity for world indigenous businesses to connect with local indigenous businesses, so to tap into the opportunities and help develop the country along with it. “In the next ten years, Papua New Guinea will be one of the most exciting investment destinations throughout the world, the opportunities here will be unparalleled,” said the minister. “Yes, we have our challenges today, but the future looks good, and we are looking at investors from right across the world to come and help us unlock our vast economic potential.” He said PNG has a population of 11 million and is growing at a rate of 3.2%, which means that the demand for goods and services will continue to increase. “In terms of population, we are becoming an even bigger market ourselves,” Maru said. Touching on the country’s economic growth rate and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Minister Maru said PNG expects to hit a GDP of K120 billion and the size of the economy to double in the next 7 years. “We expect by next year our economic growth rate to go from 4% to 5% and we expect in many years to come, be even higher than 5%.” Minister Maru also told the international delegates that the country has major potential for business in the resource sector with 9 projects currently operating and 5 new projects coming up in a few years’ time. In addition to this, he told them that PNG also has fertile land that can be used for agriculture and cattle farming. The ocean’s richness of marine resources and the Special Economic Zones projects coming up and topped by some favorable government policies on investments, makes PNG the go- to- nation for indigenous business investments.

The President of the Republic of Hungary H.E Katalin Novak flew out of Port Moresby to beautiful Manus Island this morning as she embarks on the second day of her Presidential visit to Papua New Guinea (PNG). Whilst there, she will visit and lay wreath at the memorial of the Martyred Missionaries to start off her visit to the island province. After that she will visit the Maria Molnar Training Center where she will be presenting computers to the Maria Molnar Music and Bible School. Following that event, the president will then depart the Manus main island for Pityluh Island to visit the historical site of Hungarian missionary Mari Molnar's house, where she will lay a single flower on the monument in honor of her. President Novak will then depart for Port Moresby after the trip to the island, to wrap up her second day of visit. On the third day, Friday 27th October, the president will pay a courtesy call on the Prime Minister where they will have a closed-door meeting. Meanwhile, the Hungarian President touched down in Port Moresby at 4:50pm on Wednesday 25th October for her three days Presidential Visit to the country. She was officially given a guard of honor put on by the First Royal Pacific Islands Regiment (1RPIR) at the APEC terminal. She was later received by the traditional landowners of Port Moresby city with songs and dances performed to welcome her to their lands.

The approval to host the 14th World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) here in the city of Port Moresby is to showcase Papua New Guinea (PNG) to the world that the countrys indigenous businesses can be able compete in business development and partnership with the rest of them, with the right guidance and help. This prestigious international event shows the faith that the WIBF has in the successes of local indigenous businesses in connecting to the rest of the indigenous businesses word wide. Mr. Andrew Carrier, the Vice President Manitoba Metis Federation and Chair ILDII, in his opening speech said the WIBF draws attention to indigenous economies and aims to connect, share and inspire the local indigenous Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) expand and increase their businesses. “We welcome Papua New Guinea into the indigenous brotherhood for positive economic and social reform, with the help of your connection at the world Indigenous Business Forum, said the Vice President. He said the WIBF has been to most parts of the world where they met indigenous businesses and now it is PNGs turn and for the first time too, that WIBF came to assist local businesses looked at exporting through out the world. “The Forum provides and opportunity to connect and continue discussions on economic development with international partnership, specifically to lead and facilitate a greater capacity to build economies for indigenous people and their communities.” The Forum will concentrate on hearing the grass- roots experiences, sharing best practices to overcome a pandemic and prosper despite the obstacles.” He said the international Forum speakers are from multi- sector backgrounds and it promises to be a remarkable few days for participants and delegates.

PNG Power Limited (PPL) will now be working towards appointing a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) after the incumbent, Mr. Obed Batia handed in his resignation just recently. The PPL Board resolved to accepting his voluntary resignation and thanked Mr. Batia for his 34 years of selfless service to the State-owned power company. During his career with PNG Power, Mr. Batia spent 13 years in Executive Management roles, and lately as the CEO for the last two years. Mr. Batia has contributed immensely to the PNG Power in the various roles he occupied over the years. In the interim, Mr. Nehemaiah Naris will be the Officer in Charge for the time being. Mr. Naris is the incumbent Deputy CEO and has over 15 years of experience holding various senior positions within Kumul Consolidated Holdings and lately as Deputy CEO of PPL. Mr. Naris has an MBA from the University of Illinois and a Master of Laws in Corporate and Commercial Law from the University of Auckland. The PNG Power Board and Management and staff once again thanked Mr. Batia for his services and wished him all the best in his future endeavors.

The Secretary of the Department of Defence (DOD) has come out to fully clarify on the K15 million Commercial Support Program (CSP) funds, to put to rest the misinformation circulated on social media recently by members of the Defence Force, regarding its existence in the Trust Account. The DOD Secretary, Mr. Hari John Akipe in a press conference on Tuesday stated that the funds are still in the CSP Trust Account where it had been for the past years since the creation of a commercial arm for the Defence Force. By way of background, Secretary Akipe said that in 2012 the National Executive Council (NEC) approved the establishment of a Defence Commercial Company on the 18th of October that year. “Prelude to this, the Minister for Finance approved for an account to be opened at BSP Bank through a Trust Deed on the 11th of September 2014. The intention was to migrate the CSP to the Defence Company,” stated Mr. Akipe. However, when he assumed office, he discovered that vital components for practical financial management were not in place that would safeguard the Trust Fund and the operations have also diverted away from the original intentions. “Consequently, I requested Finance Secretary to freeze expenditure to the Trust Account to ensure the CSP Trust Account comply to the Trust Deed, put in place proper governance structure or mechanism and employ essential financial process requirements, including annual budget, work plan, operational plan, and approval and the expenditure of the funds.” That decision by the Secretary left the fund in the Trust Account without being accessed for some time and had accumulated. “I want to inform all of us that in the last three years, since the fund was frozen on the February of 2020, as at September 2023 the fund has amounted to K16, 537, 405. 23.” "I want to inform all of us also that the Defence Council has protected and gurded the Commercial Support Program from abuse thus far and continues to do so. It will also strive to ensure that the funds are properly utilized so as to maximize returns to the force,” the Secretary assured.

The 14th World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) will officially be opened this evening with all the activities to take place for the next two days in the city of Port Moresby, and with over 500 delegates expected to attend, the event will be a great experience for the nation, city and local indigenous businesses especially. Much is expected from this major international event, especially the sharing of business ideas and the connections that will be made between the local and international indigenous businesses. Mr. Ivan Makil, who is a Senior Board Member of the WIBF body and President of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SPRMIC) in the United States, said the critical thing in this forum is to understand each indigenous groups, their challenges and then work out what can be done to offer them help, so to enable them to progress and grow in their small businesses. Meanwhile, the 14th WIBF opening event will take place at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium starting at 5:00pm and ending at 9:00pm.  

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is fully ready to host the 14th World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) come Tuesday 24th October in Port Moresby with delegates from the rest of the world arriving today along with the local indigenous business owners and operators. Minister for International Trade and Investments, Richard Maru said the event will officially kick off tomorrow at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium with celebrations to be hosted by National Capital District Commission (NCDC) Amazing Port Moresby team. “I want to confirm that we will have over 300 official PNG delegates attending the forum and 150 delegates from around the world and I understand from 14 different countries,” said Minister Maru. “It is a real honour from our country to host the World Indigenous Business Forum for the first time in our country and I want to on behalf of our government and the country, thank the Management and Board of the World Indigenous Business Forum based in Canada, for granting us the right to host the Forum.” Maru said the PNG team has been working tirelessly for the last 10 months to prepare to host this very important event. Ms. Mackenzie Oatway, who is the Manager at Indigenous Leadership Development Institute (ILDI) in Canada, said the team is excited to be in the country to host the event because of its significance to helping indigenous businesses. “The purpose of WIBF is bringing business to indigenous people, indigenous people to indigenous people. The connection with one another, the sharing of business ideas, best business practices and creating partnership across the world,” said Mackenzie. Meanwhile, the WIBF official opening program will commence at 5pm in the evening at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Konedobu, where the delegates and dignitaries will attend.