Kosem Ltd is a family-owned local coffee exporter from Jiwaka and the first recipient of an Australia Government supported concessional loan. This grant, that is expected to boost coffee exports, was received by Kosem Ltd under the ‘Revolving Fund Facility’ that is being managed and operated by Women’s Microbank Limited (Mama Bank). The locally owned coffee exported now has adequate funds to buy green coffee beans, benefitting more than 2000 coffee farmers in Morobe Wau Waria district. The Revolving Fund is an Australian government economic development project in partnership with Mama Bank that is investing PGK 3.5 million in loans…
Author: Helen-Jennifer BUBUWAU
Julia Patrick is a cocoa farmer from Nagobis Village in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. Julia has a disability that impairs her mobility and considering the physically demanding and labour-intensive work that farming requires, she has difficulty going about the upkeep of her cocoa block. She is however, now benefiting from Australia Government-funded Commodity Support Facility (CSF) project. The CSF projects supports training, capacity building and financial assistance to increase cocoa production quantity, improve quality and strengthen market access. It also fosters more inclusive economic and agricultural development in Bougainville with a focus on women, youth, and people with disabilities.…
The National Cultural Commission (NCC) launched its 5-year Cultural Strategic Plan 2023-2027 at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby yesterday. There were a handful of important guests that were present at yesterday’s launching, including the Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture Isi Henry Leonard, the Executive Director of NCC Steven Enomb Kilanda, NCC Board Members, stakeholder’s and development partners. Minister expressed content at the launching of the Cultural Strategic Plan, as it was the tangible translation of the National Cultural Policy that was launched last year. In doing so, Minister also acknowledged and thanked all those that were instrumental in…
Papua New Guinea is further extending the Visa on Arrival (VOA) facility to passport holders from Micronesian and Polynesian States and Territories to strengthen its relations with Pacific Island States. This was announced by the Chief Migration Officer (CMO), Mr. Stanis Hulahau. He said this extension means passport holders from all Pacific Island States in Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia are now eligible for VOA at all authorized ports of entry in PNG, specifically Jacksons International Airport and Wutung land border post. “I am pleased to announce that passport holders from all Pacific Island States and Territories can now get visa…
The Dios Bridge, located in the Tinputz District of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville was aging and reaching an unserviceable condition. A new Dios Bridge was built and officially opened recently, providing a reliable connectively for the people of Tinputz District and Bougainville to access goods and services, with increased loading capacity allowing vehicles with cargo to pass over safely. The construction of the bridge was funded under the Bougainville Roads Program funding by the Australian Government through PNGAustralia Transport Sector Support Program (TSSP) in partnerships with Department of Technical Services (DTS) and local constructions. Dios village is located in…
The China Southern Airline made its maiden journey into Papua New Guinea (PNG), at the Jackson’s International Airport in Port Moresby this morning. The welcome party included a host of dignitaries, including the Minister for Tourism Arts & Culture Isi Henry Leonard, Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko, Moresby North-East MP John Kaupa, and heads and representatives from the National Cultural Commission (NCC), Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA), National Capital District Commission (NCDC), National Airports Corporation (NAC), the Chinese Embassy in Port Moresby. They were all treated to a mini side show of sorts, with live painting, amid the beat of the…
The inaugural Southern Airlines Flight to Port Moresby is expected to arrive at the Jackson’s Airport in Port Moresby tomorrow, Wednesday 20th of December 2023. National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop has left for Ghuanzhou via Hong Kong yesterday, to join Minister for Transport & Civil Aviation Walter Schnaubelt, to join the inaugural Flight. In a post shared on his socials before his departure, the Governor expressed that this is an initiative that they have been pushing in the city, under the global branding Amazing Port Moresby. This initiative is to promote business, investment, trade links and more importantly for…
Communities rallied this week to stage a march, as a show of strength against the escalating law and order problems currently being experienced in East New Britain Province (ENBP). The march commenced at the Ralum Police head quarter and ended at the Kokopo main market. ENB Governor Michael Marum, Minister for Fisheries and marine resources and Gazelle MP Jelta Wong, Provincial Administrator Levi Mano, police, CS, public servants and NGOs were all out to show solidarity against the lsurge in lawlessness in the province. ENB Governor Mr Marum said addressing law and order concerns is a shared responsibility. “The march…
Commissioning of the 17-kilometer missing link of the Highway Corrdior of Sinivit Local Level Government in Pomio District in East New Britain Province (ENBP) was done recently. The connection of this road network should reduce travel time to just 4 hours. Over the years, the airstrips deteriorated and become non-existent, forcing the travelling public to take alternative means into the Kokopo, which were usually risky. Over the sea, the introduction of the MV Pomio back in 2021 eased the burden of travel, however, this missing link of a road, when completed, will be the easiest route to take. East New…
A locally owned and registered tour operator is taking steps to protect their natural resources and the backdrop to their eco-tourism business, the Busamang Coastline in the Morobe Province. Connect Local PNG is partnering with Eagle Vetiver Systems Ltd, to carry out scoping and assessment of coastline erosion and to explore the viability of using Vetiver grass to address and prevent further erosion along the Busamang Coastline. Owner of Connect Local PNG, Davinia Illumpui, gave a bleak recount of the escalating erosion that was eating away at the Busamang Coastline at an alarming rate. “The sea is breaking the sand…