Ritz-Carlton's highly-anticipated superyacht cruise has finally made its debut, three and a half years after its maiden voyage was originally scheduled to begin. Evrima, the first of three custom-built yachts from the famous hotel chain's Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, began a seven-night cruise from Barcelona, Spain to Nice, France on October 15. The 190-meter vessel, which can accommodate 298 passengers, is made up of 149 suites with a private terrace, as well as floor to ceiling windows, and features an infinity pool, a wine vault, a Ritz-Carlton Spa, a nightclub and its very own "marina." Rates for a one-week stay start at $6,400 per person for Mediterranean voyages, while Caribbean voyages begin at $5,100 per person, with accommodation options ranging from standard cabins, to two-story "loft-style" apartments, and a sprawling 1,091- square-foot "owner's suite" with a private hot tub. [caption id="attachment_28810" align="alignnone" width="636"] According to Ritz-Carlton, Evrima has one of the highest space ratios in luxury cruising, with 85.2 square feet of space per guest.[/caption] Those who splash out of these luxury cruises can expect "service at a gold standard" -- the yacht claims one of the highest staff and space to guest ratios at sea -- as well as fine dining experiences, complimentary water sports, and on-board entertainment. There's also a dedicated on-board children's facility with a jam-packed program for those aged from four to 12. Evrima, which means discovery in Greek, will sail to a range of destinations throughout the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, as well as Central America and South America, with most cruise durations ranging from seven to 10 nights. The luxury yacht is to be followed by two others, Ilma and Luminara, currently under construction at Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Ritz-Carlton first announced plans to move into the luxury yachting world back in 2017, describing the venture as "a hybrid between luxury cruising and yachting." "The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is revolutionizing the luxury cruising industry, creating an entirely unique category designed for those in search of unmatched getaways, highly curated itineraries, insider access and a level of personalization previously unseen in the space," Douglas Prothero, chief executive officer for the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection said in a statement. "Every element of the luxury yachting experience was considered when designing and creating Evrima, and we are excited to deliver unforgettable journeys for both longtime cruisers and those who are new to the industry." All three of the superyachts will be available for private charter. While Ritz-Carlton have not revealed the charter price, it's safe to assume that those who opt to hire the vessels out will need pretty deep pockets. "We are thrilled to introduce The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and usher in an exciting new chapter for this beloved brand," says Chris Gabaldon, senior vice president for luxury brands at Marriott International. The launch of Evrima has been rescheduled several times due to supply chain issues and the global pandemic. Earlier this month, the Four Seasons announced plans for its first vessel, a 14-deck, 207-meter-long superyacht with 95 suites, which is scheduled to enter service in late 2025. Source: CNN News

Secretary for Education Dr. Uke Kombra and the Managing Director for NHC, Mr. Henry Mokono signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday, October 12th on the Duran Farm Housing Project – Portion 528. The signing of the MOU paves the way for the two organizations to work collaboratively to ensure that the housing scheme is realized. A pleased, Dr. Kombra said this is the first attempt by the Department to engage in a housing scheme for its officers and the journey so far was long but worthwhile. “I am pleased to inform all our officers that the signing of the MOU was done Wednesday, 12th October. It will pave the way for further work between the two organizations to ensure that officers who are eligible are assisted to purchase homes under the scheme,” Dr. Kombra said. The Department expressed its interest in 2014 to the then administration of NHC however; it has taken until 2021 for real progress to be made. “I am happy that we have achieved an important milestone with the signing of this MOU and I encourage our officers to prepare financially in order to benefit from this scheme,” he said. A total of 100 allotments have been allocated for the Department of Education. The Teaching Service Commission will also be included in this housing scheme. Six building companies have been engaged for officers to choose to build their house once they have met all the requirements. So far 300 officers have expressed interest by applying to the Department of Education Housing Committee which is chaired by Deputy Secretary, Teaching and Education Standards, Mr. Walipe Wingi. The DoE Housing Committee will continue to work with NHC to ensure the department’s desire to help its officers own homes becomes a reality. The Committee will also come up with some criteria to assess the expressions of interests by officers. Dr. Kombra has instructed the Housing Committee to inform the officers of the progress made and what to expect in the coming months through an internal Secretary’s Circular. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will soon be signed by the two organizations to guide them to work closely together to achieve the ultimate goal of providing affordable housing for officers in the department who are able to afford one.

After an international search, The Australian National University (ANU) has appointed Dr Dave Peebles as the new Director for the Australia Pacific Security College. Dr Peebles will lead the College from February 2023, holding the title of Professor in the Crawford School of Public Policy at The Australian National University (ANU). Professor Helen Sullivan, Dean of the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, welcomed Dr Peebles’ appointment. “Dr Peebles will make a vital contribution to the life of ANU with his extensive academic background, connections across the Pacific and strategic outlook. I look forward to the Australia Pacific Security College going from strength-to-strength under his direction,” Professor Sullivan said. “Dr Peebles joins the most concentrated community of Pacific scholars in the world.Importantly, those scholars are increasingly drawn from the Pacific and are making crucial impacts back in their communities.” Dr Peebles has been passionately engaged with the Pacific academically and professionally for almost 30 years, and said he was delighted to take up the appointment. “Pacific Islanders will confront some of the most difficult security challenges in human history in coming years. Climate change. Geostrategic competition. The impact ondevelopment from the COVID-19 shock,” Dr Peebles said. “I am honoured and privileged to have this opportunity to lead the Australia Pacific Security College, as we work together on these challenges. “We will take this voyage together as a Pacific family, guided by the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and Boe and Biketawa Declarations. “My family and I have a deep love and affection for the Pacific. Many of our happiest times as a family, and our most professionally rewarding work, have been in the Pacific. My wife Justine has also served as the RAMSI Special Coordinator in Solomon Islands and my children’s formative years were spent in the Pacific. “I look forward to working with Pacific governments and citizens as the Director of the Australia Pacific Security College.” Dr Peebles currently works in the Office of the Pacific in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, where he has been responsible for some of the most critical Pacific strategic issues, including climate change and oceans, the Pacific Islands Forum and Australia’s overall Pacific policy. As part of his diplomatic career, Dr Peebles served as Deputy High Commissioner in Solomon Islands, Minister Counsellor in Indonesia and as a peace monitor in Bougainville as part of the regional peace monitoring group. Dr Peebles has also served as a Senior Adviser on Overseas Aid and Pacific Island Affairs at Parliament House and as the Chief of Staff to the ACT Minister for Education and Training. Dr Peebles has a PhD, Master of Strategic Affairs, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts (Hons). He is the author of Pacific Regional Order, published by ANU. The Australia Pacific Security College is an educational institution that enables critical thinking about national security pressures and opportunities, and new pathways to a more secure Pacific. The College works in partnership with Pacific Islands Forum members on the region’s security challenges. The College is funded by the Australian Government.

The Marape/Rosso government is serious in taking the Ministry for Tourism, Art and Culture to the next level by considering and including music as an integral part of it. How far have we thread the road of music as musicians and how far have we benefitted from music are the questions that I as Minister responsible have to answer. Minister for Tourism, Art and Culture Hon, Isi Henry Leonard expressed these views at the tribute concert hosted for the late PNG music icon and artist Steve Lahui at Elevala village on Wednesday 19th. The late Lahui who was a household name in the 80s and 90s, had passed away several weeks ago, and Mr Leonard as Minister for Tourism was attending the event to show the government’s support and share in this time of loss with the family of the late musician from Central Province. “The passing of late Steve Lahui has prompted me and allowed me to come into this occasion to make known to our people and musicians that it is about time now we all have to work together to position the music industry to where it must be and where it supposed to be. “For me as Minister, I consider it very differently at this time, today we come here to mourn but at the same time we come here to celebrate the life of Steve Lahui as a musician,” Mr Leonard said. Stressing that musicians and lyrical content makers had to be compensated for their creativity and the material they produced as artists among other content makers. He said artists needed to make money and as a responsible government, it was willing to provide the necessary platforms. As Minister, he was taking music seriously, while expressing the need to give recognition to artists and the music industry in the country. Mr Leonard paid tribute and respect to the late Steve Lahui and his family, who he described as an outstanding singer and artist from the Southern region of PNG. Minister Leonard presented Ten-Thousand-Kina (K10,000.00) from his office to the family of late Steve Lahui to help with costs and expenses of the hauskrai. Other artists that performed at the tribute concert featured, Makali, Dokona Manoka, Dika Dai and Incense Gospel band among others. Meantime, the body of the late Steve Lahui was laid to rest in his village of Barakau last week.

The Kangaroos will dedicate their World Cup match against Scotland to the memory of Redcliffe Dolphins player Liam Hampson, with a shattered Pat Carrigan vowing to play in his honour. Carrigan and a several other members of the Kangaroos squad were close to Hampson, who passed away in Barcelona this week, and the Broncos forward was visibly upset as he left early from a civic reception on Wednesday night. Australian coach Mal Meninga has given the squad a three-day break after the match against the Bravehearts and he said it would be an opportunity for Carrigan and other players to grieve for Hampson. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="840"] Kangaroos forward Pat Carrigan will play in honour of Liam Hampson[/caption]   “They are obviously affected by it,” Meninga said. “At some stage the boys who were close friends with him over here will need time to grieve and we will support them as best we possibly can. “Pat wants to get out there, so he is comfortable with that at the moment, but we are still another 24 hours away from the game so we will see that pans out. “All of the team has got a bit of time off after the game. I am not quite sure what Patty and those guys are going to do but they will have time and space to reflect in their own way. Being so far away from home too is a big thing.” Meninga asked to send a message of support to Hampson’s family before the Kangaroos captain’s run at Coventry Building Society Arena, which is home to Coventry City FC and the embattled Wasps rugby union club. The Kangaroos will wear black armbands and there will be a moment's silence for Hampson before the match. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="840"] Liam Hampson played for Tweed Heads Seagulls and Redcliffe Dolphins[/caption]   “It is tragic news. On behalf of the Kangaroos, we send our condolences back to Liam’s family and friends. It was a sad day and obviously we pay our respects,” Meninga said. “Liam’s family will be very much grieving today and for a very long period of time, so we are very much behind them. In our minds we will be playing for them tomorrow.” Hampson, 24, was reported missing by a group of friends while on a trip to Spain, with his father Brett sadly confirming his passing on Thursday. A talented hooker, who starred at schoolboy level for Keebra Park High, Hampson played for the Tweed Seagulls in 2021 and was a member of the Dolphins team that played in this year’s Hostplus Cup grand final. Source: NRL.com

Prime Minister and Tari-Pori MP James Marape has called on the people of Tari-Pori living in towns and cities in the country to return home and help to develop their district. He also called on Hela leaders and public servants to be in the province at all times. PM Marape made the call in Tari yesterday (October 20, 2022) after the swearing-in of the Tari-Pori District Development Authority (DDA) members, followed by the swearing-in of the Hela Provincial Assembly members. The Tari-Pori DDA is composed of Chairman Marape, Tari Town Mayor Andaija ‘AJ’ Jeli, Women’s Representative Theresa Punga, Business Representative Dorothy Waigima and Local Level Government (LLG) Presidents Arnold Angai (Tagali), Thomas Tari (Tebi), Zerox Oberia (Hayabuga) and Patrick Pipe (Pori). “Tari-Pori has returned me as MP for four consecutive terms since 2007 – which is the longest ever for an MP here,” PM Marape said. “It is a privilege of the highest order for me which I don’t take lightly. “I owe my political life to the people of Tari-Pori and I commit myself to a better life for them, as well as people of Hela and Papua New Guinea as a whole. “I am pleased to see that my DDA has appointed women representatives, who continue on from their previous term. “I also take this time to appeal to all people of Tari-Pori to return home and help to construct our town. “Tari is getting to be a better town with new offices, sealed roads and strengthening of the law-and-justice sector. “Tari-Pori DDA will work with the Hela Provincial Government led by Governor, Ho. Philip Undialu, to make the district and province better. “I call on Governor Undialu, members of the Hela Provincial Government, all leaders and public servants to be in the province working and we will assist from the National Government.

The Papua New Guinea–Australia Partnership will provide greater access to technical education for women and girls through the provision of a new dormitory at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (Unitech). The PGK15 million grant from the Incentive Fund will provide 100 new beds for female students across a range of academic areas. “This project is an important step towards PNG achieving our vision of becoming a modern, self-sufficient country, by improving access to high quality accredited technical education for all students, both men and women,” said Vice-Chancellor of Unitech, Dr Ora Renagi, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the project. [caption id="attachment_28771" align="alignnone" width="906"] The official launch of the project.[/caption] The PNG University of Technology is one of PNG’s leading universities, providing education across a range of disciplines including science, architecture, business studies, engineering, and mathematics. There are currently 692 female students enrolled this year, more than a 100 of whom are currently being housed off-campus due to a lack of beds. At the event, Australian High Commission Infrastructure Counsellor Simon King noted that “a qualified, well-trained and practically skilled workforce is essential in today’s modern world, and both men and women should be able to participate equally in these sectors”. The PNG-Australia Partnership is pleased to support women and girls access previously male-dominated academic streams, to help increase their employment opportunities domestically and internationally,” said Mr King. By providing safe and secure accommodation, the University will be able to meet the demand for bed space for its increasing female student intake, thus increasing the number of women entering the workforce with tertiary qualifications. [caption id="attachment_28772" align="alignnone" width="906"] Unitech Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ora Renagi (left), Morobe Governor, Luther Wenge (centre) and Australian High Commission Counsellor-Infrastructure, Simon King.[/caption] “We want to see more women graduating from technical disciplines, so that they can pursue employment in highly specialised technical fields,” said Dr Renagi. Unitech students and graduates were heavily involved in the recently opened ANGAU Memorial Hospital Redevelopment project. With further Australian commitments in Lae, such as the redevelopment of the Lae Tidal Basin, there will be increasing demand for women and men from relevant technical fields to support the delivery of those projects. The new dormitory is expected to be completed in December 2023, in time for occupancy at the beginning of the school year in 2024. The PNG-Australia Partnership has provided around PGK70 million under the current phase of the Incentive Fund, aimed at increasing and improving access to education across the country.

Liz Truss will become the shortest-serving prime minister in Britain's history after bowing to pressure from her own MPs to resign following a disastrous start to her premiership. It follows weeks of plummeting opinion polls and turmoil in financial markets following her government's mini-budget at the end of last month. She will remain as prime minister until a leadership election is completed within the next week to find her replacement, and there's speculation Boris Johnson is considering a bid to return to the top job. Speaking outside the door of Number 10 Downing Street, Ms Truss accepted that she could not deliver the promises she made when she was running for Conservative Party leader, having lost the faith of her party. "I recognise though, given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party. I have therefore spoken to His Majesty the King to notify him that I am resigning as leader of the Conservative Party," she said. "This morning I met the chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady. "We've agreed that there will be a leadership election to be completed within the next week. [caption id="attachment_28765" align="alignnone" width="589"] The resignation speech British Prime Minister Liz Truss made outside Number 10. [/caption] "This will ensure that we remain on a path to deliver our fiscal plans and maintain our country's economic stability and national security. "I will remain as prime minister until a successor has been chosen." Ms Truss, who has been in power for just 45 days, will become the shortest-serving prime minister in Britain's history – George Canning previously held the record, serving 119 days in 1827 before he died. Earlier on Friday, party officials had gathered at Downing Street while a growing number of her own MPs called on her to quit. Appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on September 6, Ms Truss was forced to sack her chancellor and closest political ally, Kwasi Kwarteng, last week and abandon almost all of her economic program after their plans for vast unfunded tax cuts crashed the pound and British bonds. Approval ratings for her and her Conservative Party collapsed. On Wednesday she lost the second of the government's four most senior ministers, when Home Secretary Suella Braverman resigned over a minor breach of the ministerial code. In her resignation letter, Ms Braverman, 42, took a thinly veiled swipe at Ms Truss's government, saying she had "serious concerns" about the government's ability to honour commitments it made to voters at the last election. "Not only have we broken key pledges that were promised to our voters, but I have had serious concerns about this government's commitment to honouring manifesto commitments, such as reducing overall migration numbers and stopping illegal migration, particularly the dangerous small boats crossings," she wrote. "It has been a great honour to serve at the Home Office. "In even the brief time that I have been here, it has been very clear that there is much to do, in terms of delivering on the priorities of the British people." [caption id="attachment_28766" align="alignnone" width="549"] British Labour leader calls for general election. [/caption] Ms Truss had also faced laughter as she tried to defend her record to parliament and saw Conservative MPs openly quarrel over policy, deepening the sense of chaos at Westminster. New Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt is now racing to find tens of billions of pounds of spending cuts to try to reassure investors and rebuild Britain's fiscal reputation as the economy heads into recession and with inflation at a 40-year high. Opposition Leader Sir Keir Starmer said the situation was "a mess" and called for a general election. "This is not just a soap opera at the top of the Tory party — it's doing huge damage to our economy and to the reputation of our country," the Labour leader said. "And the public are paying with higher prices, with higher mortgages. "So we can't have a revolving door of chaos, we can't have another experiment at the top of the Tory party." Race now on to replace Truss [caption id="attachment_28767" align="alignnone" width="701"] There is speculation former prime minister Boris Johnson may run again for the Conservative Party leadership.(AP Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth) [/caption] A new leadership election will be completed by next Friday, October 28, with Conservative MPs having until 2pm on Monday, UK time, to nominate candidates. Candidates will need at least 100 nominations, which will mean likely only three will make the cut, given there are 359 Conservative MPs sitting in the House of Commons. If enough MPs get behind one candidate, it could knock out all other contenders before a ballot is even held and they would automatically become party leader and prime minister. However, if there are two candidates left, they will then take part in hustings before an online vote for members of the Conservative Party. "We fixed a high threshold but a threshold that should be achievable by any serious candidate who has a prospect of going through," Sir Graham Brady said. Those expected to run include Penny Mordaunt and former chancellor Rishi Sunak. Mr Hunt has ruled himself out, and The Times newspaper reported former prime minister Boris Johnson, who Ms Truss replaced, may throw his hat in the ring. A poll earlier this week showed that most members wanted Mr Johnson — who was ousted from Downing Street in July after a series of scandals — to return. Mr Johnson — who is still facing an investigation into whether he misled parliament after he and his staff held a string of parties during COVID-19 lockdowns — is believed to cutting his holiday in the Caribbean short to return to the UK this weekend. The face of the 2016 Brexit vote has loomed large over politics since he became London Mayor in 2008. He led his party to a landslide election victory in 2019 but was driven out of office in July. Several Conservative MPs have voiced their support for the former prime minister. "I hope you enjoyed your holiday boss. Time to come back," James Duddridge said. Source: ABC News

The contract of Santos PNG Orchids player Joanne Lagona has been terminated due to a breach of contract. Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) CEO Mr Stanley Hondina said, " As part of the process of building a new elite pathway for the Santos PNG Orchids is to raise and maintain  standards of conduct. This applies equally to all players and staff, and those involved in the RLWC2021 Campaign have signed contracts accordingly." "This is disappointing situation but the termination of Joanne's contract reflects the standards we expect of our national team personnel." "The systems and processes we are putting in place now for the Santos PNG Orchids will outlast all of us in our current roles and are for the benefit of future generations of Orchids. As we work hard now to set those stnadards we expect every member of the team to uphold them with the utmost respect." "We want to be globally competitive n the field, and that cannot be achieved without having the right systems and processes off the field." A decision on whether a replacement player will be added to the squad  for RLWC2022 will be made in due course."

BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) remains committed to giving young swimmers in PNG the opportunity to progress further in competitive swimming and representing the country internationally. After two years of being closed, in both Lae and Port Moresby, BSP reaffirmed this commitment in presenting K80, 000 to the PNG Swimming Inc as naming rights sponsors to the 2023 BSP National Aquatic Excellence Program and BSP/FINA Educational Clinic and the Fina World Competitions. Popular Australian NRL Club, the Brisbane Broncos as a ‘Community Partner’ of BSP was present to hand over the cheque to the PNG Swimming Inc. at the Taurama Aquatic Centre in Port Moresby. Popular Australian NRL Club, the Brisbane Broncos as a ‘Community Partner’ of BSP was present to hand over the cheque to the PNG Swimming Inc. at the Aquatic Centre in Port Moresby. Former Bronco and Australian professional rugby league footballer, Scott Prince handed over the cheque saying, “As a community partner to BSP, we are privileged to represent the biggest bank in the country in helping and encouraging the people and the community, especially children, to grow and learn about the basics of life." “One aspect of our partnership is to teach young kids to about financial literacy but not not limited to encouraging them to grow and build a career in whichever profession or sport they aspire at.” President of Papua New Guinea Swimming Inc (PNGSI) Ms Elizabeth Wells, thanked BSP and the Broncos for the support saying , “We are happy to announce that we are back in full operation providing the necessary programs and events for our young and enthusiastic swimmers.” “Through partnership, we've witnessed the enormous growth in the development of our young and upcoming sports athletes in realising their dream of representing PNG. We have a viable and productive swimming program in place in building and training our young athletes. The support has made it possible for us to continue providing pathways for new swimmers, to develop skills and a pathway to join the elite swimmers. This is a great milestone achievement for PNG Swimming Inc," said Wells. The BSP National Aquatic Excellence Program consists of the Kundu Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum and Diamond target squads that recognises swimming excellence, and covers swimmers from the ages of 9 through to the Open Division. This program provides the pathway for elite swimmers to be part of the National team representing Papua New Guinea. BSP has invested significantly in children's sporting partnerships. The bank’s association with a huge range of sports includes school Kriket Program, tennis championships, and the Rabaul School Rugby League that help develop young talents in our communities.

An open ocean swim between England and France is the latest fundraising activity being planned for Cheshire Disability Services, the leading charity for people living with disabilities in PNG. The swim is being supported by the Steamships Group, with 100 percent of all sponsorship money going towards initiatives that will directly benefit people with disabilities and the families who support them. The English Channel Swim attracts endurance athletes from many different nations. Zimbabwean born, South African citizen and permanent PNG resident, Neil Papenfus, a General Manager in Steamships’ Logistics Division, is attempting the world-famous swim for the first time. Papenfus and Steamships raised K10,000 for Cheshire Disability Services a year ago when Papenfus completed a 13 km swim in Port Moresby’s Fairfax Harbour. Inspired to push himself further physically and raise considerably more money for the charity he describes as “providing life changing and even lifesaving services to some of the most disadvantaged people in our community”, Papenfus has officially registered to swim the English Channel in October 2023. Cheshire Disability Services General Manager Benson Hahambu stresses that “people living with disabilities in PNG are particularly disadvantaged. There are minimal resources and services to support them and their families. Stigma and traditional beliefs also often prevent families from seeking out what few services are available. Additionally, remoteness and the lack of adequate transport pose significant barriers to accessing desperately needed help.” Cheshire Disability Services rely overwhelmingly on fundraising initiatives, private donations, and partnerships with a range of different organisations to develop and deliver their services. “Without the support and generosity of businesses like Steamships it is impossible to do the work we do” confirms Hahambu. “We hope that lots of other businesses sponsor Neil’s English Channel swim too.” Papenfus expects the swim to take him around 16 hours. The shortest route to swim across the English Channel is 34 km long, but this can change significantly with the current, as well as the rise and fall of tides. Swimmers often end up swimming from 40-45 kms in an ‘S’ shape and at times against the current. “It’s not the distance, or even how long it’s going to take to do the swim that worries me” says Papenfus “but the water temperature.” An understandable concern given that most of his training takes place in and around Fairfax harbour where the average October water temperature is 26⁰C compared to the English Channel’s – literally bone-chilling – 16⁰C. There are other factors to worry about when swimming the Channel which is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. On average, 600 tankers and 200 ferries pass through the channel every day. Jellyfish are also notorious pests to Channel swimmers. Icy water, marine traffic, and jellyfish aside, knowing what good work Cheshire Disability Services can do for some of PNG’s most disadvantaged with K100,000 will provide Papenfus with plenty of motivation during his swim, as well as his next 12 months of training

Prime Minister James Marape’s opening address at the 11th Parliament session on “Restructuring Governance and Real Development Outcomes” was well received by the market. BSP Group General Manager for Corporate Banking Peter Beswick said, “The message of the Prime Minister was well received. With its key focus on support for foreign direct investment and agricultural outputs that have high potential to be competitive across global markets.” “The specific commitment made by the Prime Minister that his Government “will see that Papua LNG, Porgera, Wafi Golpu, P’nyang LNG and Pasca A projects will all move across the line” improves investor sentiment,” said Beswick. He added that; “With the conclusion of the national election, we are seeing a significant uplift in consumer and business enquiries for investing and spending across all sectors.” He said; “This is expected to build momentum leading into a strong 2023/2024, initially driven by Barrick's reopening of the Porgera Gold Mine and then Papua LNG Financial Investment Decision.” “Also note that a major positive was that CPI Inflation has tapered to 5.5% in the June quarter 2022, when the headline CPI for the March quarter was 6.9%,” he said. He continued that; “This is a positive sign, however inflation is significantly impacting business costs and consumer purchasing power nationwide.” The key drivers of inflation remain unchanged—supply chain disruptions, logistic costs, fuel and food.