Papua New Guinea Chamber of Resources & Energy (PNG CORE) has announced Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) as a Platinum sponsor for the 2025 PNG Resources Week scheduled to take place from 28th-31st July 2025 at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby. PNG CORE said as the leading convener of strategic and inclusive platforms in the resource sector, PNG CORE continues to bring together landowners, communities, government, private sector, academia, and industry leaders to foster collaboration and shape the future of Papua New Guinea’s development. “This work is made possible through the support of committed stakeholders like MRDC, whose sponsorship enables the delivery of high-impact events such as PNG Resources Week. MRDC’s renewed sponsorship—under the theme “50 Years of Resources Building PNG Communities”—reflects its ongoing commitment to sustainable development and the empowerment of landowner communities. Since 2018, MRDC has invested nearly K80 million in community infrastructure projects through its Community Investment Trust Fund (CITF). These investments include building infrastructures for education, health, social and economic programs, and renewable resources,” PNG CORE stated. These efforts complement government services to improve the quality of life in communities impacted by resource projects. PNG CORE Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Pansy Taueni-Sialis, welcomed the sponsorship stating, “We thank MRDC for coming on board as a Platinum Sponsor for the 2025 PNG Resources Week. Mrs. Taueni-Sialis said their support enables PNG CORE to continue creating platforms that unite stakeholders and spark transformative conversations. She said MRDC’s work in reinvesting in communities and advocating for landowner interests resonates strongly with their mission to capture the hearts and minds of Papua New Guineans. “Together, we are building a legacy of pride, progress, and partnership in the resource sector. We have been a long-standing partner of PNG CORE and a major sponsor of its initiatives. The event is an important platform for our landowners to engage, share experiences, and collaborate in areas of mutual interest”, stated Mineral Resources Development Company Managing Director Augustine Mano. The 2025 PNG Resources Week will bring together stakeholders from across the public and private sectors, civil society, and academia to drive meaningful dialogue, foster innovation, and shape the future of PNG’s resource industry. Finally, the PNG Resources Golden Exhibition will also be a central feature of its July jubilee themed celebrations—marking half a century of progress in PNG’s resource industries.

The Papua New Guinea Chamber of Resources & Energy (PNG CORE) proudly joined the recent 2025 Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption hosted by Transparency International PNG (TIPNG), fielding four teams in a strong show of support for integrity, transparency, and good governance. The theme for the 2025 Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption is “Integrity & Action Now.” PNG CORE marched in alignment with this theme, highlighting its commitment through the banner: “Integrity at the CORE: Strengthening PNG’s Resources for Generations,” which reinforces the Chamber’s dedication to ethical leadership and responsible resource development.  The Walk Against Corruption is one of PNG’s most visible civic movements, bringing together citizens, civil society, and the private sector to stand united against corruption in all its forms. PNG CORE’s participation reflects the resource sector’s shared responsibility in promoting accountability and safeguarding national wealth for future generations. PNG CORE was among 186 teams and over 2,000 participants who took part in the Walk Against Corruption on Sunday in Port Moresby city. Chief Operating Officer Mrs. Pansy Taueni-Sialis echoed TIPNG Chair Peter Aitsi’s sentiments, stating that all participants have clearly demonstrated their stance against corruption. “Saying no to corruption starts with us and is reflected through our actions. We are thankful to our family members, including students, who joined the PNG CORE team. This demonstrates that we heard the call and have answered it—joining forces with like-minded organizations to stand up and say no to corruption in Papua New Guinea.” PNG CORE was also a proud sponsor of the Best Dressed School Team category, which was awarded to Kopkop Lower Secondary School. The winning team received a prize pack consisting of mixed merchandise from the Chamber,” Mrs. Pansy Taueni-Sialis said.  She said the Chamber commends TIPNG for its continued leadership in fostering a culture of accountability and civic engagement. PNG CORE remains committed to working with all stakeholders to uphold the values of integrity, transparency, and sustainable development in Papua New Guinea.

Air Niugini has become the first organization in Papua New Guinea to successfully integrate a new automated payment system with BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP), streamlining the airline’s financial operations and delivering faster, more secure transactions for its customers and business partners. The National Airline stated that this significant milestone is part of Air Niugini’s ongoing digital transformation journey, driven by the recent implementation of Oracle Fusion, a leading Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution. "The integration enables Air Niugini to automate payments to suppliers, contractors, and customers with greater speed, security, and accuracy. Through a secure, encrypted connection, payment files are now transmitted directly from Air Niugini to BSP, where they are automatically processed. Funds are credited to BSP accounts instantly or routed via the KATS system to other banks across Papua New Guinea, significantly reducing processing times and delays. Customers and partners of Air Niugini will benefit from faster payments, improved turnaround times for disbursements and reimbursements, increased reliability due to the reduced risk of manual errors and payment delays, and greater transparency through automatic payment confirmations and status updates," Air Niugini said. Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gary Seddon stated this change marks a significant milestone in modernizing and automating Air Niugini’s financial landscape—benefiting both our internal and external partners. He said it will bring measurable improvements to the airline's financial processes, enhancing reliability, transparency, and operational control. "Our customers and suppliers can see real benefits through quicker, more dependable transactions," he added. Mr. Seddon further emphasized that the integration would enhance the airline’s ability to settle supplier payments on time, manage customer receipts with greater accuracy, and maintain stronger financial controls across the business. BSP Group General Manager – Corporate, Mr. Daniel Faunt said: “This integration reflects our commitment to helping business partners like Air Niugini operate more efficiently while improving the experience for end customers. When we simplify and modernize payments, everyone benefits.” He added, “This partnership demonstrates how collaboration between PNG’s leading bank and national airline is driving digital innovation—with tangible results for businesses and individuals across the country.” Both Mr. Faunt and Mr. Seddon acknowledged the collaboration efforts of all parties involved—the Air Niugini Finance and IT teams, BSP, and the implementation partner Mastek—with the strategic leadership of the airline’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Ms. Judy Kuk, in ensuring the successful integration. Ms. Kuk highlighted that the automated bank reconciliation process, which was previously manual and time-intensive, is now completed with improved speed and precision. "This integration has enhanced accuracy, compliance, and financial reporting, enabled better decision-making and strengthened audit readiness. “We are continuing to enhance certain areas to fully leverage the automation capabilities and deliver even greater value. With the successful implementation of this project, we are now moving away from previous manual and fragmented processes," she said. She said Initiated in August 2024, this integration is a key component of Air Niugini’s broader Oracle ERP implementation program. "The program focuses on modernizing and streamlining the organization’s core business systems—Finance, Procurement, Human Resources, and Payroll. The integration with BSP was identified as a critical milestone within this transformation, aimed at enabling end-to-end automation of financial transactions with the bank," she added. Air Niugini said This strategic partnership underscores its commitment to leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency and deliver improved services to its stakeholders.

The National ICT Authority (NICTA) signed a film commission agreement with Screencraft Media an Australian film production entity, formally commissioning Screencraft to produce a documentary film based on the history of telecommunications in Papua New Guinea in commemoration of PNG’s 50th independence anniversary. "The film project will be a 60-minute documentary style film based on two historic books by James Sinclair, Uniting a Nation (1984) and PTC: Uniting a Nation Through the 1980s (1993) for special screening in a cinema, and to be broadcast on local television and on streaming platforms in October this year. NICTA Chief Executive Officer, Kila Gulo-Vui, said when congratulating Screencraft that this is a very important project as it will take us back to pre-independence right through to independence and up to 2025. “As we prepare to celebrate the country’s 50 years of independence, we are excited with this project as it will tell the story of the country’s analog-to-digital journey and of how far we have come as an industry and nation.” The film will bring to life the stories of early forms of communication, introduction of first modern forms of communication, modernization, reforms and corporatization and ICT infrastructure development and communication after 50 years," he said. Meanwhile, NICTA licensees including mobile telcos has met with NICTA to discuss potential collaboration on the film and the book.

The Government through the Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM) has stepped in to assist farmers in rural areas to transport their produce to markets. Secretary for the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, Koney Samuel presented a funding support of K4 million to the Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea (PNG) Chief Executive Officer, Jesse Anjen during a small ceremony in Kokopo on Friday 13th June 2025. Mr. Samuel said the funding support is an illustration of the National Government’s determination and commitment to strengthen efforts to build and expand the cocoa industry, particularly in remote and rural areas where transport remains a major challenge. “It has been difficult for our farmers over many years and although we have been running Freight Programs for Coffee and Cocoa farmers, this has been insufficient. With this support now, they can do a lot more in terms of reaching out to our farmers in the rural areas and bringing those produce to the markets,” Mr. Samuel said. The funding is provided under the Capital Investment Program, specifically through the Freight Subsidy Program, managed by the DNPM for commodity boards such as the Cocoa Board and the Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC). Cocoa Board CEO Mr. Jesse Anjen welcomed the funding, describing it as timely and impactful. “I thank the Marape-Rosso Government for being a strong advocate of the agriculture sector and recognizing that it is key driver for economic growth. Our goal is to grow the cocoa industry into a K4 billion sector. One of our key initiatives, the Cocoa Freight Program, has already proven its worth. A previous investment of K22 million under the program has generated over K164 million in returns. This is one of the success stories we have had from the Freight Program,” Mr. Anjen said. He explained that the Freight Program not only reduces transport cost for farmers but also supports infrastructure development. “We are establishing storage facilities at key points along the value chain to help consolidate produce for shipping or air transport. This additional K4 million will allow us to continue expanding these services in remote areas,” Mr. Anjen said. Mr. Samuel’s visit to the East New Britain Province is part of the 2025 Inter-departmental Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Exercise which has been carried out around the country for 3 weeks. The M&E Exercise is designed to track the impact of Public Investment Program (PIP) funding from 2022 to 2024. The M&E exercise includes four key government agencies including the Departments of Treasury, Finance, Provincial and Local Government Affairs (DPLGA), and Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD)—who are partnering with DNPM in this coordinated national initiative.

2024 has been truly transformative for K92 Mining as they advanced their plans to become a world-class, tier 1 Gold Mining operation. K92 Mining CEO and Director John Lewins said K92 has achieved notable operational successes during the year and importantly, K92 Mining has done so with perfect safety performance, including achieving 553 consecutive days without a lost-time injury. Mr. Lewins said in 2024, they achieved another annual production record with 149,515 gold equivalent ounces produced, while investing significant expansion and sustaining capital throughout the year totaling a combined K650.6 million. “We also continued to invest heavily in exploration, with K63.7 million invested in 2024, making K92 the largest mineral explorer within the country. In December 2024, we were very proud to receive the Outstanding Community Humanitarian Initiative award from the PNG Chamber of Resources and Energy (PNG CORE). This is the third consecutive year K92 has been awarded a community-related award from the PNG CORE demonstrating our unwavering commitment to investing in local communities as part of our core business strategy. The 2024 award recognizes our flagship Sustainable Livelihoods Agriculture Program,” Mr. Lewins said. He said their local value retention initiatives continue to deliver significant value to their local stakeholders. “At the end of 2024, we employed nearly 1,800 employees and contractors and remained the second highest mining corporate income taxpayer in PNG, with a total of K243.4 million in taxes and royalties paid. We also procured approximately K371.5 million from PNG Companies, including K107.7 million from unique, local Ventures. In May 2024, we launched our inaugural Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme project, with K26.4 million allocated for the upgrade and sealing of the road from Konkua to Bilimoia. We continued to work in Partnership with local stakeholders and government bodies to define future projects, which will be based on local development priorities,” he said. Mr. Lewins said looking ahead, the upcoming year will surely be one of the most important in K92’s history. “During the year, we look forward to the commissioning of our new 1.2 million tonnes per annum process plant and other key mine infrastructure to support our expansion plans and continued production growth. We will also look forward to working in ongoing partnership with all our stakeholders to deliver transformational value from our operations, now and into the future,” Mr. Lewins added.

The foreign exchange market experienced notable improvement in early 2025, driven by robust commercial inflows and increased activity in the Bank of Papua New Guinea’s (BPNG) weekly foreign exchange auctions. Bank of PNG (BPNG) Governor Ms. Elizabeth Genia stated that according to the June Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) statement these developments enabled Authorized Foreign Exchange Dealers (AFEDs) to significantly reduce outstanding orders and improve their market positions. Ms. Genia said over the five months to May 2025, inflows totaled K10.8 billion (US$2.6 billion), while outflows reached K13.5 billion (US$3.3 billion), resulting in a net outflow of K2.7 billion (US$654.5 million). “BPNG’s interventions, amounting to K2.0 billion (US$486.0 million), partially offset this deficit. The volume of foreign exchange orders declined sharply - from K794.9 million in January to K127.2 million by the end of May reflecting the impact of strong inflows and BPNG’s active market interventions. A significant development was the emergence of interbank trading, suggesting improved liquidity conditions within the foreign exchange market. However, sustained progress hinges on maintaining consistent inflows of foreign currency,” Ms. Genia said. She said Mining companies are actively converting surplus funds from their foreign currency accounts in accordance with Foreign Currency Account (FCA) regulations. “Agriculture sector recorded an 80 percent increase in inflows driven by improved global commodity prices and exchange rate depreciation. These activities are expected to further bolster the supply of foreign currency. BPNG’s move to increase the frequency of foreign exchange auctions from monthly to weekly has enhanced market liquidity, helping to meet the IMF’s benchmark of eliminating import orders older than two months. Gross reserves decreased from US$3,532.9 million in January to US$3,213.1 million in May, primarily due to the BPNG’s FX interventions and government debt repayments. Despite the decrease, reserves remain comfortably above the IMF’s net international reserves (NIR) floor of US$1,925 million,” she said. Ms. Genia added that this reserve buffer provides an important safety net amid volatile global commodity prices and exchange rate adjustments. “The exchange rate has continued to adjust under the crawl-like arrangement aimed at addressing the Kina’s overvaluation. By 30th May 2025, the Kina depreciated by 2.4 percent against the US dollar to US$0.2438, and by 5.8 percent against the Australian dollar to AU$0.3792. The depreciation against the USD reflects ongoing efforts to restore competitiveness, while the movement against the AUD was influenced by Australia’s moderate inflation and stable economic conditions as well as cross currency movements caused by the impact of US trade tensions. Over a six-month period, the Kina weakened further - by approximately 3.2 percent against the USD and 1.9 percent against the AUD - highlighting a gradual adjustment process. The Trade Weighted Index (TWI), which measures the overall value of the Kina relative to a basket of currencies, also declined, decreasing by 5.3 percent over the six-month period to end May 2025. The TWI stood at 26.12 at the end of May, down from 26.35 in the previous month, indicating a broad-based weakening of the Kina. These exchange rate movements reflect the ongoing policy measures aimed at correcting overvaluation and stabilizing the economy amid fluctuating global commodity markets,” Ms. Genia said.

Prime Minister (PM) James Marape has clarified that recent media headlines quoting Attorney-General (AG) and Minister for Justice Pila Niningi were taken out of context and have been widely misinterpreted. Responding to front-page reports suggesting that the Minister had criticized Papua New Guinean judges, PM Marape stated that at no time did the Minister accuse or imply that national judges are corrupt or biased. “Let me set the record straight, Minister Niningi’s comments were made in the broader context of judicial strengthening and public confidence—not as an attack on the integrity of our judiciary,” PM Marape said. Responding to questions raised by international partners and domestic stakeholders, PM Marape explained that the appointment of foreign judges to Papua New Guinea’s National and Supreme Courts is part of the Government’s broader strategy to strengthen judicial capacity and expedite the resolution of legal disputes. His remarks were part of an ongoing national conversation about reinforcing judicial independence, improving performance, and managing perceptions of fairness and impartiality. “In a country as diverse as Papua New Guinea—with over 800 tribes and complex social dynamics—perceptions of neutrality can be challenging. Minister Niningi was highlighting the importance of ensuring that our courts are perceived to be independent, balanced, and above reproach,” PM Marape noted. PM Marape affirmed that, in partnership with the judiciary, the Government supports the strategic appointment of international judges to complement national appointments. This forms part of the wider reform agenda being led by Minister Niningi, which includes:  Establishing an independent Court of Appeal Introducing international-standard arbitration mechanisms Raising the retirement age for judges Increasing the number of judges Improving judicial salaries to attract and retain high-calibre legal professionals Papua New Guinea has a longstanding tradition of appointing foreign judges, especially from Commonwealth countries, to strengthen its legal system,” PM Marape said. These appointments are not a reflection of any deficiency in national legal capacity, but rather a deliberate measure to enhance the system’s overall efficiency, integrity, and credibility. “Minister Niningi recent comments have been mischaracterized. They were not a critique of our judges, but a reaffirmation of our commitment to a strong and credible justice system,” PM Marape said. The Prime Minister reaffirmed his government’s full confidence in the integrity and professionalism of Papua New Guinea’s judiciary and its ongoing commitment to strengthening the justice sector. “Our judges are men and women of integrity, professionalism, and courage. The Government will continue to support them through legislative, institutional, and financial reforms. Where foreign judges are appointed, it is done transparently and strategically— not to replace or diminish our national bench, but to reinforce confidence both at home and abroad,” he said. PM Marape concluded by urging the media to report responsibly on matters involving the judiciary and other key democratic institutions and encouraged the public not to be misled by sensational headlines. “Our people are encouraged not to form conclusions based on a headline or two, but to seek accurate information and wait for proper clarification from official sources,” PM Marape added.

Kula FC, the new kids on the block, will participate in the PNG top-tier league, the Premier Soccer league (PSL), for the first time in the 2025 season. PNG Football Association (PNGFA) said the team will be based in Port Moresby city and will be under the watchful eye of a reputable coach who has chosen to overcome past animosities. “The team was set to arrive in Port Moresby on Sunday to finalize ground preparations and officially meet with the PNGFA PSL management to formalize their entry. The team is proudly supported by Ricky Morris, the visionary leader and member for Alotau,” PNGFA stated. Mr. Morris believes that with the upcoming 2026 Oceania Professional League on the horizon, his players have the potential to succeed in professional competitions. “They possess what it takes but have lacked the opportunity. This entry into the top-tier league, sanctioned by PNGFA, is a perfect chance for these players, who come from the lesser-known Alotau, to showcase their talent,’’ Mr. Morris said. President Livinai Lepani of the Alotau Soccer Association spoke from Alotau via phone, stating, "Alotau has an abundance of raw talent that is too good to overlook. Mr. Lepani said that these players need a new direction and mindset for playing coordinated football, and they will excel. “With the guidance of a well-known coach familiar with PSL competition, we are here to compete. Kula FC will bring a dedicated fan base to every game, and we are all excited to witness the team from Alotau in action. They enjoy strong support, which will undoubtedly ignite the atmosphere during every match. The team has completed their registration by paying K100,000 and looks forward to their inaugural game. Their preparations are progressing well, and with the backing of the Port Moresby residents, they are poised to be favorites each time they step onto the field. Kula FC stands as one of the new entrants for the 2025 PSL season,” he said.

Following its June meeting, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) maintained the Kina Facility Rate (KFR) at 4.0% and reduced the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) to 10.0%. Bank of PNG (BPNG) Governor Ms. Elizabeth Genia stated that the Committee was encouraged by developments over the past quarter, including the continued improvement in foreign currency availability and a modest easing in underlying inflation, though it also noted that liquidity remains unevenly distributed. Ms. Genia said while underlying inflation has continued to ease, headline inflation edged higher over the three months to March 2025, largely driven by a turnaround in domestic (non-tradable) inflation. “The Committee views this divergence as indicative of emerging price pressures, though not yet sufficient to warrant a change in the policy rate. The MPC will continue to monitor inflation trends closely, particularly in light of the uncertain global outlook and ongoing trade-related developments. Conditions in Papua New Guinea’s foreign exchange market have continued to improve, supported by increased foreign currency availability and a notable reduction in the backlog of FX orders. These improvements mainly reflect higher commodity prices for key PNG exports of gold, coffee and cocoa and the gradual and measured depreciation of the Kina, which the Committee views as necessary to restore PNG’s competitiveness with its international trading partners. The Committee agreed to continue with the crawl-like exchange rate arrangement and to closely monitor outstanding foreign exchange orders as well as the responsiveness of foreign currency inflows to the lower exchange rate. Weekly FX auctions will also continue to support the market with auction volumes determined by the MPC based on available liquidity and the level of outstanding orders,” Ms. Genia said. She said domestically, while there is ample liquidity overall in the banking sector, its distribution among the commercial banks remains uneven. “The decision to lower the CRR to 10.0% is aimed at easing liquidity constraints and strengthening the monetary policy framework by promoting a more even distribution of liquidity across the banking system. The Committee views the economic outlook as broadly balanced, though there is greater uncertainty surrounding the global trading environment. The Committee will continue to assess the effectiveness of its policy settings and stands ready to make further adjustments, if necessary,” Ms. Genia added.

The re-opening of the Madang town retail site is a testament to Puma Energy’s commitment to energizing the Madang community, in collaboration with its business partners and the local community. Puma Energy PNG, in partnership with Victory No. 8 Ltd, has re-opened a retail site situated in the heart of Madang town, in Madang province. “The re-opening was a welcome relief to many vehicle owners, especially those who run public motor vehicles in Madang town and those travelling the Highlands highway, after the site was closed for almost seven months. The re-opening symbolizes Puma Energy's unwavering commitment to bringing world-class retail standards to Papua New Guinea,” Puma Energy stated. Shirely Perido, Retail Operations Manager, said V8 is incredibly fortunate to be part of a vibrant community in PNG. She said Victory 8 is a long-time business partner of Puma Energy, currently managing several retail sites in Port Moresby and Lae cities. Ms. Perido was in Madang with the Puma Energy team from Port Moresby, Lae and Madang to officially welcome the retail site's first customers on Thursday 29th May 2025. “This investment represents Puma Energy's commitment to the people of Madang, and the growth and prosperity of the province. Puma Energy is not just a fuel provider, but also a partner in the progress of Madang province and PNG. The Company is committed to Energizing Communities in PNG. A second retail site will be re-opened in Madang in the next month,” Puma Energy PNG stated.

The 2025 PNG Futsal League pre-season wrapped up with exciting matches at Taurama Aquatic Indoor Centre (TAIC) on Monday night. The opening match, Hekari United FC 6 defeated Highlands United 3, Gulf Komara 8 proof too strong for Port Moresby Strikers 3, while in the main game Kopar8 with 9 defeating Sepik FC, 7. PNGFA stated that Gulf Komara coach David Aua led his side to beat Port Moresby Strikers 8-3 in the second match. “In a thrilling "cat and mouse" game, the lead exchanged hands multiple times throughout the night. Ultimately, Kopr8 emerged victorious with 9 goals to Sepik FC's 7. All three pre-season matches drew a good crowd, setting a positive tone for the inaugural season and promising even more to come,” PNGFA said. During the inaugural PNG Futsal League competition, the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) President John Kapi Natto encouraged players to participate and hone their skills in the dynamic indoor sport. Seven clubs are currently participating in the new league, which kicked off on Monday evening from 5 PM to 10 PM at the Taurama Aquatic & Indoor Complex (TAIC), Port Moresby city. The participating clubs are Hekari United FC, Gulf Komara FC, Port Moresby Strikers FC, United Highlands FC, Kopar8 FC, Sepik FC and Phoenix FC.