Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru says the Pacific Maritime Industrial Zone (PMIZ) in Madang is expected to see work on its first cannery very soon. Minister Maru said the initial work is expected to start next month pending a clearance. "I'm happy to report that we are waiting for the clearance from the State Solicitor for the State and RD Tuna to enter into the Joint Venture for the project," said Maru. Minister Maru, who was responding to the MP for Bogia during question time in parliament this morning, apologized also for the 15 years of delay in developing the PMIZ, stating that there were serious constraints that led to the delay. These include the establishment of water and electricity and a wharf and cooling facility, which have to be in place first. That is way he said the Joint Venture is the way to go because RD Tuna already has these facilities, and all is needed is to build fish processing facilities at the PMIZ. He added that this project is important as it will enable PNG to process fish and export to overseas markets. Meanwhile regarding the expected equity from the project, Minister Maru said he proposed for the Madang Provincial government to receive 10% equity and Sumkar and other districts in Madang to receive 5% equity each.

PM JM is satisfied with the outcome of parliament sitting yesterday with the passing of three laws which he said was symbolic of the types of laws the Marape/ Rosso Pangu led coalition government wants to pass for the betterment of the country. One is the passing of the constitutional amendments to finally recognize PNG as a Christian country, second being the amendment bill for the establishment of a National Petroleum Authority, and the third was the constitutional amendment to section 145 that inserts part that gives 18 months grace period to the government if a Vote of No Confidence (VONC) is unsuccessful. “Today the constitutional amendment on passing the law that finally recognizes our country officially as a Christian County is something that I’m happy with, and the nation should be happy. In a country with so much diversity with over 800 different languages and associated cultures, so much tribal factions, one cannot dispel the fact that churches in our country have anchored our country’s unity and togetherness. “Churches precede government in many fronts, in fact in many communities. They were there before 1975, the earliest church, catholic, was here over 150 years ago,” said Marape. Marape thanked the Attorney General for the passing of this Bill. This law does not stop people of other faiths from practicing their religion. This law just defines PNG as a Melanesian Christian Country. “The second law we passed is a amendment to section 145 of our constitution that inserts part that gives 18 months grace period to government if the VONC is unsuccessful,” he said. He explained that the section 145 has not been totally removed from the constitution. “For clarity, the provision allows for grace period up to 18 months and you don’t move VONC 12 months before elections are taking place, so you have two and a half years in between for a vote of no confidence to be placed on any sitting prime minister.” “This amendment that we passed gives 18 months grace period to government if the VONC is unsuccessful, if you do your mathematics, within a two-and-a-half-year period you have couple of opportunities for a VONC to be moved if members opposite feel that the government needs to be voted out,” Marape said. He further explained that the amendment gives stability and is a halfway in between completely removing VONC or allowing it to remain. “I am a proponent of not removing VONC from the constitution, but we at the same time want to stop those who do not have no numbers, you attempt, you fail, then the government gets 18 months again.” The last law was the one passed on the repeal of the Department of Petroleum through the amendment of the Oil and Gas Act and the establishment of the Petroleum Resource Authority. “This authority will be the regulator of this big sector that contributes to over 50% of our country’s economy and GDP,” said the Prime Minister. PM Marape concluded by thanking all the MPs who voted in favor of passing of the laws. All three received majority votes on the floor of parliament on Wednesday.

The first sitting of parliament for 2025, which was dedicated to the Late Sir Julius Chan, closed with a traditional ceremony held at the parliament house by the people of New Ireland to call the spirit of Sir Julius for a final farewell, leaving the parliament house and the office of which he once occupied while as New Ireland Governor. The "custom wok" began at the steps of the National Parliament at 5pm where the first part of the traditional ceremony took place. There to perform the ritual were the deputy governor for New Ireland along with the Maimais (chiefs), traditional dances and the various Local Level Government Presidents representing their various constituents in New Ireland province. The ritual was performed to call the spirit of the Late Sir Julius to come back with them when they leave for the New Ireland and return back to his home in Namatanai. The ritual was witnessed by the Members of Parlaiment, the Prime Minister James Marape, the Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa, the Acting Speaker of Parliament, the Parlaiment Clerk and the family of the late Sir Julius and parliament staff. They MPs also participated in the ceremony. The second part of the traditional ceremony took place in the State Function room to complete the final call of spirit ritual.

Parliament commenced the 2025 sitting this afternoon with tributes from MPs to the Late Sir Julius Chan who passed away on the 30th of January while still serving as Governor for New Ireland province. Starting off the tributes was the Prime Minister, James Marape who highlighted the contributions of Sir Julius Chan who served as PM twice, Deputy PM and holding various ministerial portfolio. A great legacy left behind and a pathway for leaders of today to follow. The late Sir Julius had a hand in building the economy of PNG and also introduced the country's currency. Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa also gave his tribute, urging MPs to emulate the leadership of late Sir Julius Chan. NCD Governor Powers Parkop touched on the decisiveness of the Late Sir Julius, stating that he was a man who made the tough calls for the betterment of PNG, something leaders of today must also do. "We don't need to procrastinate. Sometimes we need to make the decisions, " said Governor Parkop. "He lived his life for the service of our people." Other MPs also gave their tributes, reflecting on the work he did for the country, and their personal engagements or encounters with him. Most MPs described him as a hard working man, a wise politician and man for the people. Meanwhile, in attendance and sitting in the public gallery was the family of late Sir Julius and members of the New Ireland provincial government who came to witness the start of the 2025 parliament sitting, dedicated to the Late Sir Julius Chan.

The Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru, is adamant in establishing a Trade and Investment Agreement with Japan to boost the export of goods from Papua New Guinea (PNG) to the Japanese market. Minister Maru, when delivering his keynote speech at the recent launching of PNG’s participation in the Osaka Expo 2025 at the National Parliament in Port Moresby city, said he wants to negotiate with the Japan Government on establishing the agreement on the back of the Expo, which will commence in April. “After 50 years of relationship, we do not have a trade and investment agreement with Japan like we do with the European Union. An interim partnership agreement,” said the minister. “We don’t have a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Japan. No wonder they don’t give us free market access for our fish like Europe.” Emphasizing the significance of establishing a Trade and Investment Agreement with Japan, he said this would complement the PNG Government economic initiatives, such as the downstream processing of fish products. He said with the agreement in place, fish products processed in PNG can be ship to the Japanese market. Not only that, coffee products from PNG can also be exported as Japan has shown interest in the quality of PNG coffee brands. Japan consumes about 5% of the world’s coffee, a market worth tapping into. Maru also said to further boost this trade and investment, the direct flights between Port Moresby and Narita in Japan, must resume. This will not only enable more trade between the two countries, but more importantly, boost tourism as well. The World Expo 2025 will be hosted in Osaka from April 13 to October 13, 2025, and it’s set to be a truly global event drawing in an estimated 28.2 million visitors. This will be the second time Osaka has hosted the Expo following its successful run in 1970. Over the course of 184 days, 150 countries will come together to showcase groundbreaking innovations, cultural exchanges, and forward-thinking solutions to the world’s biggest challenges. The Expo’s theme, "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," focuses on the future of health, technology, and global connectivity, emphasizing creating sustainable solutions for future generations.

In light of the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, the Opposition has come out to call upon the prime minister, the police minister and the police commissioner to step- up their game and seriously address the situation. The Opposition Leader, Douglas Tomuriesa concerned over this matter, especially the incidents up in the Highlands Region, held a press conference on Monday at Parliament House to get his message across to the people on this pressing issue. He said lives of the people are at risk in those hot spot areas in the Highlands where in recent times police officers were attacked and killed, public servants not going to work, businesses not operating and the public reluctant to move around due to fear. To fix this serious matter, Mr. Tomuriesa said it’s time the prime minister considers seeking security assistance from regional partners, something which he said the Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas has been advocating on for some time. He also said the huge amounts to funding given to the police must be fully utilized in providing the necessary support needed to enforce law & order, stating as well that officers need to be protected doing their duties. “You cannot continue to send our service men into the Highlands unprotected,” said Tomuriesa, adding that officers cannot be continuously sent up there without enough firepower or manpower. He concluded by stating the obvious, and that is the matter needs a bipartisan approach to fully address. “There must be bipartisan approach to the law-and-order issue in the country. If you cannot handle it, allow others to come in and work with you to sort it out,” he said. The Opposition Leader then made an appeal to the police commissioner, the police minister and the prime minister to seriously look at law and order issues up in the Highlands.

Three new countries have been added by the National Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) to the existing list of countries eligible for Visa- on- Arrival (VOA). The Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso, today officially announced the addition of the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Singapore. “Passport holders from the United Kingdom, Canada, and Singapore, are now eligible to get visa-on-arrival in Papua New Guinea,” he said. Rosso, who is also responsible for the Immigration and Border Security Ministry, said that effective immediately, passport holders from the UK, Canada, and Singapore, travelling on ordinary and official passports can get visa-on-arrival for short-stays of up to 60 days. The VOA facility is only available at the Jackson’s International Airport in Port Moresby for all eligible countries. “The VOA will be granted to those who travel for leisure, holiday, tourism, and visiting families and friends for short-stay purposes only. Those who travel for employment and long-stay visas must apply online before they travel,” the Deputy Prime Minister said. “Passport holders from these three countries are also eligible for a business short-term single-entry visa-on-arrival. All conditions under the short-term business visa apply, including the Migration Service Fee of US$ 190 Dollars. He said the government is reciprocating VOA with countries who offer the same to Papua New Guinea nationals. These arrangements are based on strategic assessments and risks factors. The inclusion of the UK, Canada, and Singapore, now adds to the list of countries who are eligible for VOA in PNG. Other countries include Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, New Caledonia, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, the United States territories of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands, and the French territories of French Polynesia of Tahiti and Wallis and Futuna. The PNG Chief Migration Officer, Wellington Navasivu, said that countries with existing VOA arrangements under bilateral agreements for stays up to 60 days, include Israel for all passport holders, and Japan, China, and Indonesia for official, service, and diplomatic passports. Holders of Indonesian official and diplomatic passports can also enter through the Wutung Border Post under the conditions of the existing bilateral arrangement. “ICSA and the Department of Foreign Affairs are negotiating VOA arrangements with other countries which Papua New Guinea shares common interests with,” Mr. Navasivu said. Rosso said the new VOA arrangements will create more opportunities in tourism, business, and trade.

The National Executive Council (NEC) has appointed Wellington Navasivu as the Chief Migration Officer (CMO) for the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (PNG ICSA). The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), John Rosso, who is also responsible for Immigration and Border Security Ministry, said the NEC made the decision on 18 December 2024, to appoint Mr. Navasivu as CMO for a term of four years. “I congratulate Mr. Navasivu on his appointment and trust he will execute his duties with dedication and diligence,” DPM Rosso said. The Deputy Prime Minister said that PNG ICSA is an important state agency, especially when migration has become a global agenda, and Papua New Guinea is committed to securing its borders and strengthening regional security, while leveraging on increased migration flows to promote tourism and investment in our country. “Mr. Navasivu is a career officer with ICSA, and I expect him to lead the organization as someone who has been with it that long should, with vision, integrity and passion.” “Mr. Navasivu, 46 years old, is from the Milne Bay Province, and was acting CMO since 1ST February 2024.” “He has worked in ICSA for 15 years in policy and operational areas, including as a Deputy Chief Migration Officer.” “He has also served in the PNG embassies in Manila in the Philippines, Beijing in China, and established the ICSA Morobe Regional Office in Lae.” He initially joined the Immigration Division which was part of the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2006 and worked with other public servants to transform the division into a self-accounting statutory authority in 2010 and reformed the service delivery and operational capacity to its current state.

The shooting and killing of two illegal miners by security in Porgera over the weekend has ignited fresh violence in the mining township in Enga province with properties destroyed and police on the hunt for other perpetrators. Police Commissioner David Manning confirmed the deaths in a statement released by his office on Sunday, stating that the two illegal miners were shot after an attempted incursion upon restricted areas of infrastructure in Porgera. The incident occurred despite repeated warnings and community engagement that there would be no tolerance for illegally threatening critical infrastructure. This is made mush worse when illegal miners threaten personnel and security forces with firearms or other forms of weapons. “During an attempted incursion into a restricted area of the Porgera facility, armed illegal miners discharged firearms at security personnel. “Security forces responded as they are expected, in defence of critical infrastructure and personnel. Two illegal miners were shot and killed during the incident. “Security forces have been clear that we will not tolerate the illegal carriage of weapons or any interference in critical infrastructure or communities by criminal elements. “Our priority remains the safety and well-being of the local communities and the protection of vital infrastructure that supports the livelihood of many.” “The deaths of any person, be it of a criminal or otherwise is regrettable, but these criminals have been held accountable for their actions.” Commissioner Manning confirmed police operations in connection with the incident remains ongoing, with security forces currently undertaking searches of surrounding communities for co- offenders. “My message is clear, that any attempts to disrupt the peace and safety of the community or to damage vital infrastructure will be met with decisive and robust action. “The safety of innocent people, the integrity of critical infrastructure, and the protection of surrounding communities remain our paramount priority.” Additional information on the progress of the ongoing operation will be released as it becomes available.

The national flag carrier- Air Niugini has made things more convenient for its customers in the Highlands Region with the recent opening of a second retail sales office in the city of Mt. Hagen, Western Highlands Province. This new retail sales office is located at the Tininga Dobel Retail Center. This latest opening demonstrates the airline’s ongoing commitment to expanding services, enhancing customer offerings and convenience. The office was jointly opened by Minister for State Owned Enterprises and Member for Hagen Open, William Duma and Air Niugini Chairman, Mr. Karl Yalo, witnessed by Western Highlands Governor, Wai Rapa, Air Niugini Board of Directors and management. Minister Duma said considering the demand for service and the local population, establishing a second airline sales office in Mt. Hagen is a commendable and sensible initiative. He said, “While the occasion may seem small, the impact of establishing an additional office is significant as it not only caters to the needs of the people in Western Highlands but also serves a broader community of the other Highlands provinces.” “The days of standing in long queues are over, we must lift our game and by providing services in a central location, Air Niugini is fostering accessibility and convenience for many, improving their overall experience. I commend the Air Niugini Board and Management for this great initiative,” Minister Duma said. Air Niugini Board Chairman, Mr. Yalo emphasized that the expansion of the sales office is a strategic move that is aligned with Air Niugini's re-fleeting program. “In September, we will welcome the first of our new Airbus A220-300 aircraft. This fleet is not just about modernizing our operations, it is about ensuring that we can continue to serve the people of Papua New Guinea for generations to come. It is about connecting families, supporting businesses, and enabling economic growth. It is about making air travel safer, more comfortable, affordable and more accessible for everyone.” “As we open this new sales office, we are reminded of the importance of staying connected – not just through our flights, but also through our people. The sales office is a gateway to the world, a place where dreams take a flight and where customers can experience a first step of their airline journey,” Mr. Yalo said. The Chairman also clarified the recent airfare adjustment, highlighting the rising costs of fuel and spare parts. He assured the traveling public that the introduction of new aircraft with increased flying hours, is expected to lead to a reduction in airfares. This strategic move aims to enhance operational efficiency and ultimately benefit passengers with lower travel costs. Governor for Western Highlands, Wai Rapa is optimistic about the growing business opportunities in Mt. Hagen and the surrounding province. He expressed enthusiasm about the developments that are taking shape, signaling a promising future for the province while local leaders, including Councilor John Pok and landowner Paul Rumints from the Yamka Pepka/Anda Kelkang tribes, share in this excitement. They called for a collective effort from their people to create a thriving local economy where businesses can flourish, and residents can benefit from the goods and services being provided.  The locals have been reminded to look after the facilities. The new Air Niugini sales office at Dobel, provides a convenient location for travelers and locals. Positioned between the Kagamuga airport and Mt. Hagen city, it is easily accessible for those needing Air Niugini services.

Residents in Port Moresby city will see the construction of the new Chinatown commence in March and is set to be a project like no other. PNG HAUSBUNG recently sat down with Ms. Lois Lin, the General Manager of Baosen International Holdings Limited, the developer of the new Baosen Chinatown, who revealed a massive project that Port Moresby city has never seen the likes of before. Ms. Lin revealed that the new Chinatown project consists of three phases, with phase one set to commence just next month. She said phase one will cover an area of 90, 000 square meters about three times the size of Vision City. She said phase one of this massive project is purely focused on the commercial portion of the Chinatown. Phase two will focus on residential and phase three on the building of hotels, restaurants and office spaces. When asked as to why such as massive undertaking, her answer was simple, it’s to give something back. “This kind of project is normal in China, but Port Moresby has never seen such a project here before, so that’s what we want to do. We want to build a landmark in Port Moresby, and to also attract people outside PNG to come visit or even live here. This will help bring employment and also development to PNG,” said Ms. Lin. Work on phase one will start next month and will consist of local contractors and Chinese contractors working together on this project. “We need a lot of people here, so we are hiring now.” The project covers a land area of 110, 000 square meters and has a total floor area of 270, 000 square meters. It consists of three large shopping mall groups, residence and boutique hotels. The project contains a fresh food supermarket, an electrical appliance supermarket, a home lifestyle store, a boutique commercial street, a large children’s playland, various dining restaurants, and a 5-star hotel. This massive undertaking was supposed to commence five years ago in 2019, but the COVID- 19 pandemic put a halt to it. Ms. Lim said an initial K150million was invested into the project then, but COVID stopped the work. Following the pandemic, things slowly picked up, hence the delay. Nevertheless, this year will see it get off ground. Ms. Lim said phase one will cost around K300million and will take about two years to complete. Currently, they are awaiting the materials to arrive from China and also for the Chinese contractors to return from spending their Chinese New Year holiday.

The price of fuel has increased further this month since the start of 2025 with fuel consumers now having to dig deeper into their pocket to pay for fuel. According to the country’s consumer watchdog, the Independent Consumer and Competitions Commission (ICCC), this increase was due to outside factors, having a more significant impact. The is due to the increase in average crude oil price caused by reduced supply from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the fresh sanctions imposed by the United States on Russia’s supply to Asia. This then led to the Indicative Retail Prices for petrol, diesel and kerosene increase on average throughout the country. As a result of adding all the various cost components, the maximum retail price movements for petrol, diesel and kerosene in Port Moresby will increase as follows: · Petrol K4.41 per litre from K4.30 per litre in January; a 11 toea increase. · Diesel K4.27 per litre from K4.07 per litre in January; a 20 toea increase. · Kerosene K3.94 per litre from K3.76 per litre in January; an 18 toea increase. For all other centres, the maximum retail prices for each regulated petroleum product have all increase on average consistent with the increases observed in Port Moresby city. The changes are according to their quarterly approved domestic freight rates for the first quarter of 2025, and their respective annual retail margins for this year. The ICCC also states that as part of its enforcement and compliance of fuel prices, its Investigative Officers will conduct inspections to all service stations to ensure prices of declared petroleum products comply with the allowable maximum prices in the country. The ICCC officers will also conduct compliance inspections in Lae, Mt. Hagen, Kokopo and Port Moresby cities. Inspection Administrators in other provinces will be supported by ICCC Agents and respective Provincial Administration in those provinces.