The new Additional Company Tax introduced following the March 2022 sitting of Parliament, will ultimately increase uncertainty and reduce investor confidence in PNG, says BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming. “Consequently, the Tax may well result in a further reduction in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) at a time when PNG needs increased FDI,” Mr. Fleming said. According to the BSP Pacific Economic and Market Insight Q1 2022 Report, Mr. Fleming said clearly the new tax will have a direct negative impact on BSP shareholders with the tax taken up in BSP’s first quarter results for 2022. The Report stated that BSP is also hearing concerns from the broader corporate sector about the seemingly arbitrary nature of the tax. “This has resulted in a high degree of business uncertainty that may well reduce their appetite to make decisions on investments and capital expenditure as the tax sends a message to businesses not to invest and strive to be successful,” Mr. Fleming said. Mr. Fleming stated in the report that the new tax will also reduce the attractiveness of PNG’s banking industry, making it less likely that offshore banks will enter the PNG market. This will further reduce competition at a time when ANZ recently exited PNG’s retail market, with the sale of its retail businesses to Kina Bank. “The recent amendments to the Income Tax (Amendment) Act 2022 introduced significant change, with the Additional Companies Tax, based on a company’s market concertation and the one-time tax liability on Digicel of K350 million, appear arbitrary and will adversely impact future business investment decisions, Mr. Fleming added. “When confidence is up, customers are buying, sales are higher, jobs are created, inventory investments are made, capital expenditure increases, and business owners feel assurance that the future for their business looks bright, which then boosts economic growth,” said Mr. Fleming

Through the support of the United States Agency for International Development, the National Democratic Institute held a two-day practical workshop from April 25-26 to promote women’s resilience and mental health ahead of the upcoming elections in Papua New Guinea. The event was held in Port Moresby with almost 20 women political candidates from across PNG’s diverse electorate. The workshop was led by two expert facilitators from the Pacific: Ms. Shirley Kaupa, an expert on Gender-Based Violence in Papua New Guinea, and Mr. Saimone Tuni, a psychologist known for promoting mental health in his home country of Fiji and across the Pacific. Opening the workshop, Theonila Roka Matbo, Minister for Education, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, shared her story of coming into politics and advice for the political hopefuls. “Melanesia is family oriented, but our politics is currently not. We need to see women getting multiple terms in parliament. Until that time, we can’t say that this government is truly Papua New Guinean or truly Bouganvillian,” said Minister Roka Matbo. “The United States government believes that women’s empowerment is not optional - it’s a must,” said David Hatch, Senior Development Advisor for USAID. “We know that Papua New Guinean women are just as qualified as men to hold political positions. We are honored to support this workshop to better enable these women candidates to compete equally and fairly, despite the disadvantages they may face while running for office.” Equitable participation and empowerment of women in politics and government is essential to building and sustaining democracy. While political violence can be experienced by both men and women, violence against women in politics (VAW-P) has three particular characteristics: it targets women because of their gender; it can be gendered in its form; and its impact is to discourage all women from political activity. It is one of the most serious hurdles to women’s full and equal political participation, both globally and in Papua New Guinea. "Many consider that harassment, threats, psychological abuse in-person and online, physical, and sexual assault are ‘the cost of doing politics.’ NDI has been working on challenging this claim by raising awareness of the violence that politically active women face, collecting data on it, and building capacity among partners to mitigate its impact and hold the perpetrators to account,” said Ancuţa Hansen, Senior Director for the Pacific Islands for the National Democratic Institute. The first day of the workshop discussed learnings from around the world and the local context, to explore the impact of violence against women in politics and elections. The participants learned to recognize various tactics of gendered online disinformation and disinformation and ways in which gendered narratives are manipulated and gendered online violence is used in political campaigns. They also gained hand-on skills on how to identify and overcome gendered domination techniques. On the second day, participants learned how to recognize stressors and make sense of psychosocial trauma. Facilitators introduced a range of approaches to build personal and organizational resilience to stress and trauma. This includes stress management and self-care strategies and creating networks of support and solidarity. Finally, participants were equipped with skills to mitigate harassment and disinformation campaigns, map stakeholders, and advocate for action.

Digicel Financial Services Limited and PNG Air have entered into a partnership to enable PNG Air customers to pay their tickets electronically using Digicel CellMoni. Through this partnership, officially launched today, PNG Air customers can book and pay their airline tickets using CellMoni without having to travel physically to a PNG Air Office or travel agency. An online booking can be made through the PNG Air website (www.pngair.com.pg) or by calling PNG Air Customer Care on 16 111 and select the CellMoni payment option. Digicel’s Chief Executive Officer, Colin Stone, commented that Digicel is delighted to collaborate with PNG Air to provide the technology to allow customers to make remote payments and cash collection across Papua New Guinea. Mr. Stone said, “This partnership reinforces our continued commitment of investing in Papua New Guinea and the future generations of this country with innovative products and services, especially to marginalized, rural and remote communities that find it difficult to access financial services. PNG Air customers who are also Digicel customers will experience the ease and comfort of paying for airline tickets from the comfort of their home or office. As we say in Digicel, we are better together.” “The CellMoni service spans through all of PNG similar to the Digicel network, providing financial inclusion into the market place for those that are unable to access formal financial solutions.” As PNG Air marks 35 years of connecting Papua New Guinea in 2022, the decision to add CellMoni Payments is both a timely and strategic one. PNG Air Acting Chief Executive officer, Mr. Stanley Stevens said, “By having CellMoni as a form of payment for tickets, our customers now have the flexibility and more ways to pay for their PNG Air tickets. The bridge that CellMoni provides is beneficial as it enables us to connect more Papua New Guineans with their families, wantoks and businesses all across PNG.” Below are the steps for booking PNG Air tickets and making payments with CellMoni: 1. Call PNG Air Customer Care on 16 111 or visit the www.pngair.com.pg website and book your flight, next select ‘I want to pay with CellMoni’. 2. Visit any of the 1,300 CellMoni Agents across PNG to deposit cash to the value of your airline ticket in your CellMoni wallet. 3. Make payment using your Digicel phone · Dial *888# · Select Option 4. Payments · Select Option 1. Pay Bill · Select Option 4. PNG Air · Enter CellMoni Payment Reference number (shown on the booking confirmation). · Enter Amount · Enter CellMoni PIN to complete transaction There is no additional charge and customers will save time and money when paying with Digicel CellMoni. CellMoni is a digital wallet from Digicel, which allows everyone to avail of digital payments without the need to have a formal bank account. This means facilitating faster and safer financial transactions, which has the potential to significantly increase the financial inclusion in the country as well as improve the livelihood of its citizens no matter where they are across Papua New Guinea. CellMoni is available wherever the Digicel Network is available and is extendable to all Digicel mobile customers. It is easy to use, safe and secure. For more information contact CellMoni Customer care on 888 or email on Cellmoni.Support@digicelgroup.com

Commissioner of Police and Controller of the PNG National Pandemic Response David Manning today revoked previous Measure No.9 issued under the National Pandemic Act 2021 and replaced it with a new measure which became effective on April 22, 2022. Under the new Measure No 9: 1. All persons should where possible wear masks to protect Papua New Guinea from COVID-19. 2. No person shall be permitted entry to, or otherwise remain within, any enclosed space within an Establishment as defined in paragraph 8, unless the person is wearing a Mask or Face Covering, in a manner which covers their mouth, nose and chin. 3. No person shall be permitted entry into an aircraft anywhere in PNG unless the person is wearing a Mask or Face Covering in a manner which covers their mouth, nose and chin. 4. No person shall remove their Mask or Face Covering whilst on an aircraft in PNG in a manner which covers their mouth, nose and chin, except in the case of an emergency. 5. The pilots of the plane are exempt from paragraphs 3 and 4. 6. The following persons are exempted from these Measures: a. Children under 12; b. Persons with underlying medical conditions which inhibit their ability to wear a Mask or Face Covering, including persons with physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability; c. Persons who are unable to place or remove a Mask or Face Covering without assistance; d. Persons undergoing dental treatment or other medical care to the extent that the procedure requires that no face covering may be worn; e. Persons within an area of work designated for them and not for public access, and who can work in an environment whereby they are a minimum of 2 meters from any other person; f. Persons participating in sporting activities; g. When directed to remove the face covering to ascertain identity; and h. During emergencies. 7. A person is exempted from these Measures if she or he removes their mask or face covering to eat, drink or take medication. 8. An establishment for the purpose of these measures are: a. health facilities, including but not limited to hospitals, clinics and chemists; and b. airports. 9. For the purpose of these Measures a Mask or Face Covering must cover the nose, mouth and chin, and includes any article of clothing including any paper or textile covering designed or made to be worn over the nose, mouth and chin to protect the wearer. It does not have to be medical grade, may be handmade and includes scarfs and bandanas. 10. For the purposes of these measures, a business, organisation or government department or agency who fails to take reasonable steps to ensure adherence to the Measures shall be deemed to have committed an offence under the National Pandemic Act 2020. 11. For the purpose of paragraph 15, reasonable steps shall include but are not limited to: a. denying entry to persons not wearing a mask or face covering; b. requesting a person to leave an Establishment if they are not wearing a Mask or Face Covering and are not exempted by these Measures from wearing a Mask or Face Covering; c. providing a Mask or Face Covering to employees and making it the company or organisation’s mandatory policy that Masks and Face Coverings are worn in compliance with these Measures. 12. An individual or organisation who fails to adhere to the Measure shall be deemed to have committed an offence under the National Pandemic Act 2020. 13. Non-compliance with this Measure should be reported to an authorised officer or the Provincial Police Commander. 14. Any Authorised Officer(s) appointed by the Controller pursuant to the Act, shall carry out and enforce the measures accordingly. 15. These Measures come into effect on 22 April 2022 and shall apply until the end of the Declaration of a pandemic under the Act, or as varied or revoked by the Controller.

PGC President Vidhya Lakhan and CEO Andrew Minogue have conducted their final inspection visit to Saipan in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) – the host of the 2022 Pacific Mini Games from 17-25 June. From 19-21 April, President Lakhan and CEO Minogue attended numerous meetings, including a courtesy call on the CNMI Governor, the Hon. Ralph Torres; a board meeting of the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022 Games Organising Committee (NMPMG 2022) chaired by Mr Marco T. Peter; as well as a meeting with the Executive Board of the host Pacific Games Association (NMSA), chaired by Mr Jerry Tan. Individual meetings were also held by the PGC delegation with each of the competition managers and venue managers for the nine sports on the Pacific Mini Games program. This included visits to each of the Saipan-based competition venues, all of which are either ready now, or their renovations will be completed by late May. Visits were also made to both Athletes’ Village sites (the Grandvrio and PIC hotels) as well as to the media and Games results centre. Meetings were also held with the key NMPMG 2022 staff, including CEO Ben Babauta and his operational directors, to ensure that the final planning for Games services like accreditation, transport, sports are on track. In comments to the local media at the final press conference, President Lakhan said, “I am pleased with the state of preparations for the 11th Pacific Mini Games. All the stakeholders are working well together to deliver the venues and operational plans." "While work remains to be done to complete the preparations, including on the visa entry process for several countries, the PGC now expects the CNMI will be ready to host a successful Pacific Mini Games in June." "On behalf of the PGC, I sincerely thank Governor Torres and his Administration for the outstanding support they are providing to NMSA and NMPMG 2022 to be able to successfully host the 11th Pacific Mini Games despite the trials of the Covid-19 pandemic and the super typhoons which set back preparations in 2018/19." "I now urge our 24 PGA members across the Pacific to do their utmost to send their largest possible delegations of athletes in a show of support and solidarity to our hosts in the CNMI and their populations across Saipan, Rota and Tinian”.

The visit came as the war in Ukraine enters its third month with no end in sight, many thousands of people dead, millions having become refugees, and cities reduced to rubble. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has visited Kyiv, according to a Ukrainian presidential adviser. He met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and was expected to discuss the country's request for more weapons to repel the Russian invasion. This is the first visit by a senior US official since Russia invaded Ukraine 60 days ago - and Mr Zelenskyy had announced the planned visit during a news conference in an underground train station on Saturday. [caption id="attachment_21033" align="aligncenter" width="843"] The situation in Ukraine on day 58 of the war (Friday 22 April)[/caption] Mr Zelenskyy had said he expected the Americans to produce results, warning: "You can't come to us empty-handed today, and we are expecting not just presents or some kind of cakes, we are expecting specific things and specific weapons." The president had also said that more weapons would allow Ukrainian forces to "immediately" retake territories that are "temporarily occupied" by Russian troops. Confirming the meeting had now taken place, presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych told a Ukrainian television station: "Let's hope something will be decided on further help." While the West has funnelled military equipment to Ukraine, Mr Zelenskyy has stressed repeatedly that his country needs more heavy weapons, including long-range air defence systems and warplanes. Key developments: • Ukraine has proposed talks with Russia over the fate of civilians and troops who remain in Mariupol • No humanitarian routes were established out of Mariupol on Sunday - Ukrainian officials hope to try again on Monday • Boris Johnson described Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine as "nauseating" and "blatant aggression" during a call with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres • An unspecified number of civilians were killed by Russian shelling in Ukraine's Luhansk region on Sunday, local officials claim • The war in Ukraine is entering its third month with no end in sight - with many thousands of people killed, millions becoming refugees, and cities reduced to rubble [caption id="attachment_21034" align="aligncenter" width="861"] This building was damaged after a missile strike in Odesa on Saturday. Pic: State Emergency Service Of Ukraine in Odesa Oblast[/caption] Eight people killed in missile attack on Odesa Meanwhile, a three-month-old baby girl was among eight people killed after Russia fired cruise missiles at the Black Sea port city of Odesa, according to Ukrainian officials. Speaking about the casualties, Mr Zelenskyy said: "The war started when this baby was one-month-old. Can you imagine what is happening? "They are just b******* - I don't have any other word for it - just b*******." The baby's mother and grandmother were also killed, and 18 people were injured, according to reports. Boris Johnson spoke to Mr Zelenskyy on Saturday and confirmed Britain would supply new weapons to support Ukraine. A readout of the call published by No 10 said: "The prime minister confirmed that the UK is providing more defensive military aid, including protected mobility vehicles, drones and anti-tank weapons." SOURCE: SKY NEWS

The Moni Plus NCDC Port Moresby Vipers have opened up their 2022 Digicel Cup quest with their first win at the Santos National Football Stadium yesterday paving way for a great season ahead. Although the Vipers took on an easy 22-8 win over the Mt Hagen Eagles, coach Joe Sipa said there is still room for more improvement as a few errors would have costed the game yesterday. “There were some mistakes we made throughout the game which nearly costed us our game but we went back to the drawing board and worked on our mistakes and completed our sets.” Coach Sipa said the boys’ quick actions to work on their errors is what turned the game to their favor eventually winning by a safe margin. Vipers Frank Tole, Yeki Benjamin and debutant Manu Soli bagged the first 4 tries for the season with Tole bagging 2 of these tries. Vipers will now take on Agmark Rabaul Gurias in round 2 of the Digicel Cup competition. The Eagles however have identified more areas that they need to improve on and will make sure they work harder in training this week to correct those errors. Meanwhile, in the second game of the day, the Gulf Isous walked away with their first win over the JPG Waghi Tumbe with a scoreline of 16-8. Tumbe Coach Baundo Aba attributed the loss to a lack of proper preparations on their part with travel delays also contributing to the result for the first game however, he said they have no excuse but to go back and work on the errors and perfect their game for the next round. The JPG Waghi Tumbe will take on the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis on their home ground in Minj for Round 2 of the Digicel Cup Competition.

Team PNG HERO athletes from the world of soccer, rugby, weightlifting, boxing, basketball, and karate recently hosted sports tournaments for the youth of Oro Province, inspiring the youth of the region. A first of their kind, the day-long tournaments in Kokoda and Buna were the culmination of the Kicks 4 Kokoda program, a sport for development initiative of KTF (Kokoda Track Foundation) in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) and Grassroot Soccer (GRS). Kicks 4 Kokoda (K4K) is a suite of soccer-based activities that provide vital information on challenges that 12-to 19-year-olds might face, including access to quality health services and referral pathways, inequality of girls and boys, gender-based violence. The nine-session K4K SKILLZ program is delivered by coaches to mixed gender teams of adolescent participants, linking them with the mentors, information, and health services they need to grow, develop, and thrive. Female and male Team PNG HERO athletes took program participants and community members through their paces in soccer-based activities to build on the PNGOC’s principles of Honesty, Excellence, Respect and Openness, with participants divided into four groups named according to the values. Over 300 people participated in games centred in soccer, volleyball and badminton at the two locations over the tournament weekend. The tournaments also provided the community with access to healthcare services at stands set up by Kokoda Memorial Hospital and Buna Health Centre. Health workers undertook testing for malaria and other common health issues, distributed information pamphlets on family planning, sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence, distributed sanitary pads and conducted STI and counselling awareness. Basil Jofari, Team PNG HERO athlete and KTF K4K project coordinator explains how the tournaments bring learnings from the program together. “The K4K program is an exciting and wonderful program, where the focus is to create that pathway for the kids to health seeking behaviour, goal setting and break down barriers with our social and cultural norms, beliefs or myths. "It allows the kids to express themselves and make wise decisions at a very young age, using the power of sports. Having the K4K tournament and seeing the PNG athletes is icing on the cake for the participants, something that they are looking forward to after their nine-week SKILLZ practices.” Raphaela Baki Kaore, Boxer and PNG National Female Boxing Coach, believes in the power of sport to transform lives; a belief she has developed over the course of her career, as an athlete who has achieved national success and now as a mentor and coach for aspiring upcomers. She has been involved in the K4K program since its inception, as an athlete representative in the program’s design and leading activities at the tournaments. “I believe sport is a driving tool to change the mindset and lifestyle of our young men and women. Sports help to defy gender stereotype and social norms. Sports can make role models and show that men and women are equal.” she said. Asiani Vagi, PNGOC Games and Programs Manager, explains how the program helps PNGOC deliver on the promotion of Olympism and various Games movements and participation of sport for all, a focus area under their 2021-2024 Strategic Plan Key Result Area of Sport in Society. “The partnership between PNGOC, KTF and GRS enables us to deliver the tournaments in line with our strategic plan, with the first of four tournaments delivered in Kokoda and Buna by Team PNG HERO athletes." "The tournament also provided the opportunity for High Performance Sport Talent Identification Officer and Team PNG HERO athlete, Dia Muri to access and recognise Jaymielee Karosa, a young participant in Kokoda who demonstrated outstanding soccer skills." “We want to see participants have fun, get the opportunity to meet Team PNG athletes, learn lifestyle skills and go through health awareness, and that is what we saw." "The athletes were very grateful to be part of the team that delivered the tournament, from officiating the Games to running the Olympic Values Education Program and interacting with the participants.” The tournaments and the K4K program were well received by the community, welcoming the Team PNG athletes and KTF team. On behalf of his village, community leader and chairman for sporting activities in Buna, Marcel Gaboe, said, “Thank you so much for bringing this program to our community. We hope that KTF and PNG Olympic committee can continue this working relationship for this project.” The Kicks 4 Kokoda program is a Team Up partnership between KTF, PNGOC and GRS, supported by the Australian Government.

Deputy Prime Minister and United Labour Party (ULP) Leader Sam Basil said political parties must practise transparency in the way in which they carry out fundraising activities to gear up for the 2022 National General Elections. Basil said this in light of his party’s fundraising dinner last night at the APEC House in Port Moresby where individuals and the business community turned up in numbers to support the fundraising event. “Political parties should come out transparently like this when raising funds to show our people how the parties are funded,” Mr Basil said. “If Political parties do not have fundraising and somehow can manage to spend millions of kina, that’s where things go wrong when we go into an election.” “I’d like to encourage all the parties and voters to understand that coming out like this to do fundraising is a very good and transparent way.” He said the money raised from the fundraising event will be spent on ULP Party’s candidates’ posters, logistics and their nomination fees as well as their activities to gear up for the elections.

Fury has now suggested that he will retire, and said: "I am a man of my word. This might be the final curtain for The Gypsy King and what a way to go out!" Tyson Fury has sensationally knocked out Dillian Whyte in the sixth round to retain his WBC heavyweight title in front of a sell-out crowd at Wembley. The Gypsy King has now taken his pro record to 32 wins and a draw from 33 fights. Fury has now suggested that he will retire, and said: "I am a man of my word. This might be the final curtain for The Gypsy King and what a way to go out!" He also praised his competitor - adding: "Dillian Whyte is a warrior and I believe he will be world champion. "He is as strong as a bull and has the heart of a lion but he is messing with the best man on the planet." Fury, possessing a considerable height and reach advantage, fought most of the fight on the outside. He controlled the distance with his jab and punished Whyte with lead hooks as the challenger tried to close the distance. Whyte was floored by a stunning uppercut with a second to go in the sixth round. He staggered to his feet, but was badly dazed and the referee rightly ended proceedings. Some 94,000 people were in attendance for Fury's first fight on British soil since August 2018. Fury - who wore gloves inspired by England's flag to mark St George's Day - said: "I cannot believe that my 94,000 countrymen and women come here tonight to see me perform. "I just want to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much to every single person who bought a ticket here tonight, or stayed up late to watch on TV." Promoter Frank Warren is among those who support the 33-year-old's decision to call it quits. He said: "If it was going to be the last fight, it'll be the last fight. That's his decision, he's the guy getting in the ring. And if it is his last fight he has gone out on such a high." SOURCE: SKY NEWS

The date of Issue of Writs for the 2022 National General Elections remains at April 28, 2022 and that has not changed. The office of the Electoral Commissioner reiterated on this following speculations the tentative schedule for the 2022 NGE has been changed. The office further said there have been no changes to the nominations dates and timings where nominations will open on April 28, 2022 after 4pm and close on May 05, 2022 after 4pm. The nomination period will be for seven days and campaign period will be for 58 days starting on April 28, 2022 and end on June 24, 2022. Polling will start on June 25, 2022 and end on July 8, 2022 for a period of 14 days. Counting will start on July 9, 2022 for a period of 21 days and the date for the Return of Writs stands at July 29, 2022.

New Ireland PPC, Chief Inspector Felix Nebanat was highly commended for his SMART POLICING Concept by the new, NGI Assistant Commander Police (ACP), Perou N'dranou who was in the Province on Thursday. ACP N'dranou was accorded the traditional Royal PNG Constabulary protocol of being received by the Guard of Honour Parade hosted by PPC Nebanat. N'dranou's pioneer visit to New Ireland is part of his familiarization call, to ensure, he has a realistic overview of the state of Police affairs in each Province of the region. N'dranou stated that, there are three things, he aims to achieve. The first priority on his list is "getting the basic fundamentals of Policing right again." "It doesn't need money to achieve this priority, all it takes is for each and every single officer to do their job, and to do it right," he said. The 2nd priority is to have "zero tolerance to Public Nuisance while the 3RD priority is the "Public Stakeholders Partnership with Police." On that note, he commended PPC Nebanat for taking a proactive approach through the SMART Policing Concept which aligns perfectly with the regional focus areas that ACP N'dranou aims to achieve. "This is the way forward, using whatever limited resources we have to come up with smart, innovative approaches to show that we can perform, that is the only way to attract partnership," N'dranou stressed. N'dranou was recently appointed as ACP NGI and New Ireland is the second Province that he is visiting apart from East New Britain (where he will be based) with plans to visit Manus and West New Britain in the near future. Police and Rural station Commanders of rural post from Konos, Lakurumau and Taskul Police and Lihir Police stations were highly commended for travelling into Kavieng to meet their new ACP.