Emmanuel MAIPE

The 70th Papua New Guinea Agriculture and Trade Festival officially kicked off today in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province, bringing together more than 40 organizations, including government departments, corporate businesses, and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).Despite a slow start to the dull and overcast morning, crowds of people including families, school children came flocking in.The National Sports Institute showground was bustling with people and stalls dishing out information to the public.The event also featured a good number of SMEs setting up to promote and secure the opportunity to expand through this platformMeanwhile, the festival received a timely support prior to its launch from the Department of International Trade and Investment.A funding support of K15, 000 funding was presented by the Deputy Secretary Policy Mr. Frazer Murray, to the President of the Highlands Farmers and Settlers Association, Mr. Wilson Thompson.The three-day festival will continue throughout the weekend, concluding on Sunday, August 30.

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Agriculture and Trade Festival is set for this Friday 28th August, marking also the 70th Anniversary of the Coffee Industry and Agriculture in the country.The main host of this significant event is the Famers and Settlers Association (FSA). The President of the FSA Mr. Wilson Thompson, says the event will take place in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province and has already attracted over 30 corporate, government and financial institutions.‘We have Chemica Ltd, International Container Terminal Ltd and PNG Biosecurity Authority (former NAQIA) coming on as Bronze Sponsors, and we invite others that wish to support the Festival and events,” he said.“The festival is to celebrate as well as showcase and promote the primary industry sector and innovations and its importance in business and industry, and trade and primary to secure our food and income security of the country.”The festival is historic as it also celebrates the establishment of the Association in 1956 and also the hosting of the first Highlands (Goroka) Show by the Association to bring together tribal groups and to showcase agriculture, commerce and industry.Also, the year 1956 is memorable as the coffee industry was firmly established after the visit of Professor Baron Goto from the University of Hawaii, invited under the sponsorship of the Bank of New South Wales (now Westpac Bank), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (now BSP), Colyer Watson Ltd, A. H Bunting Ltd and the Highlands Farmers and Settlers Association, to study and report on the viability of the Coffee Industry. He also visited the cocoa establishments.Following the passing of the Coffee Industry Act, the National Coffee Authority has now replaced the Coffee Industry Corporation, with its own Board and powers and functions.Meanwhile, the gate fees for the festival have been slashed to allow more people to enter the Showground to learn more about the coffee industry and agriculture as a business opportunity.

Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru has left the People First Party and has formed his own political party along with two other former party members ahead of the 2027 National General Election.This latest political part, the Nesenel United Pati (NUP), was launched today with Minister and Member (MP) for Yangoru Saussia Richard Maru, Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa and Member for Maprik, Libert Kapris as the founding members. The party’s secretary is Mr. Dominic Krasombi.Minister Maru said the NUP will be anchored on three core values: God first, people second, and the leader being the last.“Our mission as a political party is to cast a new vision for our country,” said the Party Leader.Maru said so many things have been done in the same old ways and it's not working, especially in a time where new technology and innovations are changing the way the world works. He added that in such time, it requires new leadership and vision in order to rip the benefits of investments and trade with partner countries and translate it into real benefits for the people.“Our party is here to inspire our nation, giving the people hope, Together, we are going to build a united, strong and more prosperous Papua New Guinea,” Maru said.The NUP is teaming up with the PNG Party where Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture and MP for Vanimo Green, Belden Namah, is party leader.The two leaders also signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) today, sealing their partnership in working together going into the National General Election next year and forming a new government in 2027.  The Registrar of Political Parties Mr. Emmanuel Pok officially handed over the certificate of the new party to Minister Maru after being satisfied that all legal requirements were met to establish the newest political party.He said this now makes a total of 44 registered Political Parties in the country, where 23 of them have members in parliament.Now that the NUP has been launched and the MoA signed with PNG Party, the focus now is shifted to the 2027 National General Election. Minister Maru said they will be aggressive in getting candidates to run under their party banner in the hope to get enough candidates elected to parliament, so as to have the chance to form a new government to run on their policies and visions.

PNGFM Limited has partnered with the Farmers & Settlers Association (FSA) to bring the 70th PNG Agriculture & Trade Festival to audiences across Papua New Guinea.Celebrating its 70th year, the Festival will be held at the Goroka Showground from 28–30 August 2026, marking seven decades of agriculture, trade, innovation and community.As the Festival’s Official Radio & Digital Media Partner, YUMI FM will be on the ground in Goroka capturing the people, stories, exhibitors and key moments that make the event one of PNG’s most recognised agricultural gatherings.Through radio, digital and social media coverage, PNGFM will extend the Festival beyond the showgrounds, allowing audiences around the country to see, hear and experience the event wherever they are.PNGFM Limited CEO Esther Gegelagi said the partnership was an opportunity to use PNGFM’s platforms to give greater visibility to an industry that remains important to the country and its people.“Agriculture is part of everyday life for so many Papua New Guineans, and this Festival has been celebrating that contribution for 70 years. What better way to share that story than through YUMI FM, our local Tok Pisin community station. We want to take the Festival beyond Goroka and share its people, businesses and stories with audiences across the country. This is what PNGFM does best – connecting our people and giving PNG stories a bigger platform.”Agrifest Corporate Organiser Jemmima Colbran said the Festival’s 70th year was an important milestone and welcomed PNGFM and YUMI FM as media partners.“Seventy years is a significant achievement for the PNG Agriculture & Trade Festival. It reflects generations of farmers, businesses, industry partners and communities who have contributed to agriculture in Papua New Guinea. Partnering with PNGFM gives us an exciting opportunity to share this milestone with a wider audience and bring the energy of Agrifest to people across the country.”

Perodua PNG Limited has just introduced its latest SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) - Traz to the Papua New Guinea market, exactly a year after establishing itself as a vehicle dealership in the country.Perodua PNG Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Ben Wong introduced the Perodua Traz just recently on Thursday 13th August at the Perodua Showroom in Port Moresby city.“It’s an SUV that does not ask you to compromise all the things that matter every day,” said the CEO.“The Traz is a five- seat SUV designed for families, professionals, businesses looking for practicality, comfort, safety and efficiency.”“In PNG, people like SUVs. We like the higher driving position; we like the extra space. We like confidence that come from having better ground clearance and we like a vehicle that comfortably handles both city roads and weekend activities.”The Perodua Traz is not about just one feature, or about just one specification; its about bringing together all the things people are looking for in a modern vehicle.The Traz is an SUV designed with good ground clearance, practical space, fuel efficiency, modern safety, driver assistance technology, and most importantly, value for money.The CEO said that the demand for the vehicle is actually high in PNG. The response from the PNG market has been very encouraging, with initial allocation request, showing an iimpressive increase.“One thing we have learned during our first year in Papua New Guinea is that customers want more than just transport,” said Mr. Wong.  “They want something practical, something economical, something safe, something they can depend on and something they can be proud to drive. We believe the all-new Perodua Traz brings all these things together and we are very proud to welcome the newest member of the Perodua family to Papua New Guinea.” The new Traz is on display now at the Perodua showroom and it’s an eye catcher with its slick design and capabilities.

The PNG Chiefs have strengthened their coaching ranks ahead of their historic entry into the National Rugby League, confirming former Dally M Coach of the Year Anthony Seibold as an assistant coach for the club's inaugural 2028 Telstra Premiership campaign.Seibold brings a wealth of experience to the expansion franchise, having coached 142 NRL games as head coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Brisbane Broncos and Manly Sea Eagles. His appointment adds further depth to a coaching staff led by head coach Willie Peters, with former NRL player Luke Burt also serving as an assistant coach.Beyond rugby league, Seibold has built an impressive coaching résumé across multiple sporting codes, including a role with England Rugby Union and his current position with AFL club Collingwood. His broad coaching background is expected to provide valuable insight as the Chiefs continue building the foundations of the club ahead of their NRL debut.The appointment also reunites Seibold with Peters, with the pair having previously worked together at South Sydney and Newcastle.Seibold said the opportunity to help establish Papua New Guinea's first NRL club was one he was eager to embrace."I'm looking forward to working with Willie Peters and supporting the vision that this club has," Seibold said."The Chiefs are building something special with strong values and great people, and I'm excited to play my part in helping them succeed."The chance to make a positive impact on players, staff and the wider community was a big reason I wanted to join the Chiefs. Success on the field is important, but building something that inspires people across Papua New Guinea is just as meaningful."PNG Chiefs General Manager of Football Michael Chammas welcomed Seibold's appointment, describing the experienced coach as a significant addition to the club's football department."We're really excited about Anthony joining our coaching staff and believe that he will add a great deal to the playing group and football department as a whole," Chammas said."His experience in numerous roles across rugby league is a great benefit to us, and his time as a head coach in particular will help him be a trusted advisor to Willie. It will also complement the attributes that Luke brings as an assistant coach, and we believe they will work extremely well together alongside the rest of our football staff."Chammas said Seibold had recently visited Papua New Guinea and was enthusiastic about the opportunity to be part of the country's first NRL team."Having just spent time in PNG recently, Anthony is tremendously excited about the opportunity that lies ahead for the Chiefs and Papua New Guinea as a country, and his appointment is another great addition for our club."We're looking forward to welcoming him and his family to our Chiefs family in November 2027 as we continue to build strong foundations for our first NRL season."The appointment marks another major milestone for the PNG Chiefs as the club continues assembling its football operations in preparation for its long-awaited entry into the NRL in 2028.

President of the Farmers and Settlers Association (FSA), Mr. Wilsom Thompson acknowledges the intention of the National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (NISIT) to host a workshop to talk about its services to agriculture.NISIT will host a one (1) day Consultation Workshop in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province on the 27th of August 2026. The intention is to promote NISIT’s role and contribution to the agriculture sector with the following objectives:Role of Standards and Measurement,Testing and Certification,Accreditation in Agriculture, andTrade Promote the current draft Agriculture Sector Standards. Which are open for Public Commenting. “We thank NISIT for this initiative,” said the FSA President, further stating that these standards are important for the Agriculture sector.Meantime, NISIT’s Consultation Workshop coincides with the PNG Agriculture and Trade Festival 70th anniversary, which will take place at the Goroka show grounds from 28th to the 30th of August2026.NISIT will also set up a stall in the show grounds to promote its services specific to the PNG agriculture sector.“We acknowledge the opportunity for the general public to visit the NISIT stalls during the three-day PNG Agriculture and Trade Festival in Goroka.The Farmers and Settlers Association commends NISIT’s decision in coinciding with this Festival.

Former NRL star and rugby union convert, Zac Lomax has arrived in the country, touching down in Port Moresby at noon today.Lomax is here to tour the PNG Chiefs facility amid talks of signing up with the new NRL franchise ahead of the 2028 NRL season when the PNG Chiefs enter the competition.Lomax made his NRL debut for the Dragons in 2018, developing into one of the club's leading backs, playing centre, wing and fullback, and played over 100 NRL matches for the Dragons.He debuted for the New South Wales Blues in the 2024 State of Origin series.In the beginning 2025, Lomax signed a four-year deal with the Parramatta Eels after leaving the Dragons.In March 2026, Lomax signed a two-year deal with the Western Force and Rugby Australia with the aim to secure a place with the Wallabies and potentially playing in the 2027 Rugby World Cup.However, Lomax's talks of signing with the new NRL franchise, could see him returning to rugby league with the PNG Chiefs.

Richard Maru, the Member for Yangoru- Saussia district in East Sepik province, has just been made the minister responsible for PNG Power Limited (PPL), and now looks forward to resuscitating the State-owned entity.Maru, who is also the Minister for International Trade and Investment, spoke at the official hand- over- take- over ceremony of the Ministry in Port Moresby yesterday at the PPL Head Office, where he put it out straight to the staff and management that the power company is in a very desperate situation and requires some very tough decisions to bring it back to form.“We are going to make some very firm decisions. I’ll be bringing to the government some very firm proposals about the future. We cannot do business the same way and expect a different result,” said the minister.He hinted that these proposals could include partial privatisation and drastic cuts on loans from big lenders.Maru thanked the State Enterprise Minister William Duma for his great efforts in running PPL thus far while it was under his care. He pledged to carry on from here but doing things differently going forward.PPL has legacy issues that the minister highlighted such as poor revenue generation, aging infrastructures resulting in poor power service to customers and management issues that have sometimes hindered services over the years.The State entity issues also include rural power supply using generators that are not making money in some urban towns and rural areas. Most of the time these areas face power disruptions on a regular basis affecting public institutions, schools and hospitals, residential areas and businesses.This occurs despite customers continuing to pay for power with a tariff that is set over 20toea, which Minister Maru said was a bit too high.All these coupled with the fact that PPL is cash strapped; it is time for a radical change and Minister Maru is just the man for the job, having experience in such matters. Hence, his appointment as the new minister responsible for the entity.“The company is insolvent; we have to fix it," he said."We must not accept the status quo; we must do something we haven’t done in the last thirty (30) years. Tough decisions to be made will be made. That much I can assure you.”Maru is not new to resurrecting insolvent companies. “When I was in NDB (National Development Bank), I was tasked to go into a bank which was insolvent; I go it fixed in six months.”Having that experience, he intends to at least make some difference in less than 10 months before the 2027 National General Election.It is going to be a big task because PNG Power has a debt of K1.2billion and outstanding electricity billings worth around K400million. On top of that, 26% of PPL sales do not make money due to power theft (illegal connections) and technical losses.“This is the true position and strength of this company,” Minister Maru plainly stated.Nevertheless, Minister Maru believes strongly that with the right leadership direction and guidance, PNG Power can do much more in providing a vital service to customers and at the same time, make revenue to sustain its operations.

Prime Minister James Marape has announced that over 10 major resource projects will open within the next two decades in the country.Speaking at the PNG Resource Week 2026 Gala Dinner event on Friday in Port Moresby city, he said these upcoming projects should further list the country’s economy, promising more benefits for the people.“The first 20 years of the next 50 years, we will be opening 19 projects in the mining and petroleum sectors,” said the prime minister.“These projects are in the Eastern most islands in our country like the Woodlark and new Misima coming back to operation.”For this year, he said there is the progress to the Final Investment Decision in the Papua LNG.    A Final Investment Decision (FID) is the point at which parties and stakeholders of a major resource project formally approve the project to proceed into full development and construction.For resource projects such as mining, oil, gas, and energy developments, reaching FID means that the project has passed key stages of assessment, and the investors are satisfied that it is commercially viable.Prime Minister Marape said the country can expect this to happen towards the end of 2026.“All nuts and bolts are in place, the government has agreed. It is a 14.5 billion US dollar project that will be announced when the investment partners have agreed among themselves.”“An exciting 20 years coming on. This country will keep on producing a return for investors, but more importantly, a return for the landowners,” said the prime minister.

A call has been placed to potential investors to consider investing in the energy sector in Papua New Guinea (PNG) given the massive demand for the growth of this important sector.That call was placed today by the Minister for Energy, Peter Isoaimo at the PNG Resource Week 2026 morning session at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby city.Speaking during Session 1: PNG Resources & Energy Sector- Ministerial Updates, he told delegates and participants in a packed room that energy in the form of electricity is vital to many aspects of economic and social development.He said the demand for energy, in the production of electricity, is important to all sectors in keeping them all functioning.“You cannot achieve agricultural transformation without reliable power for local communities, you cannot support mining and petroleum operations without adequate energy infrastructure. You cannot establish social services, heath, education and water that communities deserve, without electricity," said Minister Isoaimo.Energy is the foundation up on which every other development depends on, it is an economic enabler and as such, it’s exploration and development is fully supported by the State and its entities through friendly policies and various acts of parliament passed.“The National Energy Authority (NEA), established in 2021, has been mandated as the coordinating institution for energy policy, regulation, and development. But that coordination does not work in isolation. It works with other agencies, not instead of them.”He said the PNG Government is focused on achieving 70% electricity coverage by 2030 in the mid term plan, and plans to achieve 100% by 2050. It’s a bold plan that requires input not only from the State but from partners as well, and that means potential investors in the energy sector are needed.“To international investors: You are seeing a government speaking with one voice, coordinated across agencies, committed to energy as economic transformation foundation. This is your signal PNG is serious, investment risk is managed, your projects will have consistent support.”“We invite you to engage with the NEA, knowing behind it stands a coordinated government,” said the good minister.

TISA bank is enabling ease for local Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) owners to purchase their supplies directly from China by doing direct transactions in Chinese currency.TISA Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Michael Koisen who spoke at the PNG Resource Week 2026 during the Finance in Resources & Energy session, said the reason behind the decision to perform direct transactions was to allow SMEs have easy access to directly use the currency to purchase items instead going through a longer process, especially with the current FX situation in Papua New Guinea (PNG).He said most of the SMEs in PNG are buying from China and they have had to go through the United State dollar and converting to Chinese Yuan (CNY), which is costly and takes a bit of time."So, this gives the opportunity for our SMEs and corporates wishing to buy direct from China can do so."“It provides an opportunity also for our exporters to enter the Chinese market, the biggest in the world. So, it gives them that opportunity, and for the Chinese businesses also who want to invest in PNG.”   China is one of the world's largest manufacturing hubs, offering a wide range of products, including: electronics, building materials, machinery and equipment, and clothing and textiles.This gives PNG businesses more options to meet customer demands.