Australia has announced that its international borders will reopen for all travellers including Papua New Guineans from 21st February. Likewise, Philippines has announced that its international borders will reopen for all travellers including Papua New Guineans from 10th February For both Australia and Philippines, travellers must be fully vaccinated but do not have to quarantine on arrival. Normal visa requirements still apply. Travel on direct services from Papua New Guinea to Cairns on is still banned by the Queensland Government, presently until 26th March. Passengers flying into Australia must complete a negative rapid test within 24 hours of scheduled departure. This can either be conducted at the airport, or the passenger can bring a compliant certificate with them issued by a Doctor. A negative PCR test within 3 days of departure is also acceptable. All passengers flying to Manila must either complete a negative PCR test at the airport, or the passenger can bring a negative and compliant PCR test certificate with them. For Philippines the RT-PCR test needs to be completed within 48 hours of departure. Vaccination Certificates valid for international travel includes (amongst others) the PNG International Certificate of Covid Vaccination (ICCV) , the WHO yellow card, the Australian Covid-19 Digital Vaccination Certificate, as well as compliant certificates issued by other countries. The PNG International Certificate of Covid Vaccination is available from PNG National Department of Health (NDoH) upon production of a copy of your green vaccination card and passport either to email: intvaccinecertificate@gmail.com or by visiting the NDoH office- Level 3 Aopi Centre in Waigani. The Green Card PNG Vaccination Certificate is not valid for international travel, as it does not include either the persons Date of Birth or their Passport Number. Passengers without any valid certificate of vaccination valid for travel cannot be checked in. Passengers travelling to Australia are required to complete a new “document” being the Australian Travel Declaration/ATD including as part of this an attestation (confirmation) that the passenger is fully vaccinated and the certificate is valid. The ATD is a mobile phone App and available for download at the Apple iPhone Store for iPhone, and Google Store for Android phones. Initial one off entry of set-up information takes about 15 minutes, so it is recommended this is downloaded and updated prior to coming to the airport. Manual paper forms will be available at check-in if required.

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape yesterday commended and thanked the leadership of China for allowing for a very positive engagement to expand their country’s ongoing interest in Papua New Guinea’s oil and gas sector, particularly in two of our biggest gas projects coming up – Papua LNG and P’nyang. The Prime Minister said this in relation to the negotiations between his team and China’s giant petroleum company, Sinopec, held on Saturday 5 February 2022 in Beijing. PM Marape also thanked and commended his Minister for Petroleum and Energy Hon. Kerenga Kua and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd Managing-Director Wapu Sonk who led the negotiations on his behalf with the senior vice president of Sinopec on Saturday 5 February 2022. The meeting discussed Papua New Guinea’s petroleum sector and Sinopec’s involvement in the upstream and downstream opportunities in PNG, including the company’s interest to buy LNG from Papua LNG and P’yang Gas. “I express our deep gratitude to both President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang for asking Sinopec to meet with our Petroleum Minister and MD Sonk. The meeting has turned out very well with Sinopec indicating it would look at buying more gas from Papua LNG, P’nyang and others we may have in the pipeline,” said Prime Minister Marape in Port Moresby yesterday. “Our intent for the trip to China was to promote our government’s move into downstream processing, a message that was received well and supported in full by Premier Li during my own virtual meeting with him, leading to him committing his government’s full assurance." “It was very unfortunate that the scheduled meeting on Friday with President Xi had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, but the meeting the next day with Premier Li went well, for which I am grateful." “I am pleased with the outcome as we look forward to having our own leading petroleum company, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd, partner with Sinopec to progress the discussions into practical solutions for both our countries,” said the Prime Minister. Sinopec is a foundation LNG buyer of PNG LNG on long-term contract of up to 20 years and with this re-engagement with PNG, will be extending its interest in PNG oil and gas. Sinopec is acronym for China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation. The company is the biggest supplier of oil and petrochemical products in China and one of the biggest in the world, and is listed as a state-owned enterprise.

Foreign Exchange (FX) liquidity and the Kina performed well in the final quarter of 2021, with strong commodity prices supporting the FX market turnover’s rise by 9.8 percent over the past six (6) months. According to BSP Financial Group Limited’s Pacific Economic and Market Insight Q4 report for 2021, strong commodity prices in Crude Oil, Copper, Palm Oil and Coffee have supported an increase in FX market turnover. Loose Monetary Policy in the US drove a continued uplift in the US Dollars, and by extension the PNG Kina /Australian Dollars, through most of the quarter. Inflation, COVID-19, and Monetary Policy are the major trend drivers. BSP Financial Group General Manager Treasury – Rohan George in highlighting the market performance said firmer commodity prices, combined with increased project specific, donor foreign currency inflows and end of year dividend payments, offset the lost FX market inflows from the closure of the Porgera Gold Mine - an FX inflow that was down by 75% for Barrick. April 2022 remains the targeted date for the Porgera Mine re-opening. “The Kina has been stable and unchanged against the USD at 0.2850 for the past 14 months; however the pullback in the AUD/USD, amid COVID-19 related weakness in the Australian economy, strength in the U.S. economy helped strengthen the Kina/AUD. The Kina is likely to remain stable against the USD, while a steady AUD will see improved stability in the Kina/AUD cross rate,” Mr. George said. In terms of outlook for the coming quarter, the BSP Treasurer said the very strong FX inflows in December 2021 are expected to taper in the March Quarter of 2022. December FX inflows have substantially reduced outstanding FX orders from high levels seen in November, and this is expected to reverse in January, February with post-Christmas restocking. “With market turnover dropping, and outstanding FX orders expected to rise in the first quarter of the year, Corporate and Retail customers can manage the volatility in foreign currency inflows by placing FX orders (with correct documentation), as soon as possible and ensure orders are cash backed whilst awaiting execution, tax clearance certificates are current and reflect the expected FX order execution time,” Mr. George added. Meanwhile Papua New Guinea’s commodity recovery remains steady as prices for major agricultural exports – Palm Oil and Coffee trended upwards in the last quarter of 2021, on both supply constraints and firm demand. Gold and precious metals were trending downwards, constrained by a strong USD, rising interest rates and reduced gold purchases. Copper prices have notably cooled from November peaks, as central banks around the world begin to reign in pandemic-era stimulus programs. Arabica Coffee prices continue to trend upwards, due to reduced coffee production from leading producer Brazil and rising global coffee demand while LNG continues its bull run as demand surged in Q4, due to the energy crisis in Europe and post COVID-19 supply chain disruptions.

The Australian curling team will compete in Beijing on Sunday afternoon after being given a "late reprieve" in the wake of Tahli Gill's positive COVID-19 test. The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) announced earlier on Sunday Gill and Dean Hewitt would forfeit their remaining matches and fly out of China. But it released an update on Sunday afternoon, announcing Gill and Hewitt would be allowed to contest their match against Switzerland. "Australia's curling team in the mixed doubles has been given a late reprieve and will compete this afternoon following an urgent meeting of the Medical Expert Panel (MEP) in Beijing," an AOC media statement read. "Tahli Gill and Dean Hewitt will compete in this afternoon's match against Switzerland. "The Australian Olympic Committee has just received an email from the Chinese Public Health System advising that the pair can continue under the Close Contact provisions. "The MEP examined Tahli Gill's CT values following PCR testing over the past 24 hours and determined that they fell into an acceptable range." Australia's chef de mission Geoff Lipshut said Gill and Hewitt were excited to be given the opportunity to continue competing. "We are thrilled for Tahli and Dean and I am delighted that our headquarters team continued pressing her case, after earlier advice that the pair could no longer compete," he said. Prior to the development on Sunday afternoon, the AOC announced the Olympic debutants had opted to forfeit and fly out of China rather than have Gill go into an isolation hotel. The 23-year-old originally contracted COVID-19 in Canada in December. Her tests had wavered between positive and negative during her time in Beijing and she had been managed as a "close contact", which meant restricted movements and twice-daily testing. The AOC said at the time the results of Gill's most recent test meant Olympic officials would not allow her to play in the final two round-robin ties with Switzerland and Canada. SOURCE: ABC NEWS

On the eve of the 2022 National Elections and in light of reports of administrative delays, the impartiality and integrity required by PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC) officials in the provinces to uphold the constitutional guarantee of free, fair and safe elections has never been more crucial. This was the message shared with provincial election managers at a one-day workshop in Port Moresby hosted by Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG) in partnership with the PNGEC. With only two months before the start of the elections, and delays on key electoral processes, TIPNG is working with partners to bolster mechanisms of electoral conduct including the integrity of decision making by constitutional office holders. “When the Constitution speaks of Rights and Responsibilities we all must take note, these are not mere words, the Constitution makes and invokes guarantee. It is easier to understand when we say that the Constitution is a contract between the State and her People. The Constitution of Papua New Guinea promises and contracts to its people, to deliver free and fair elections. It promises one vote per person it implies that each citizen must cast their votes in confidence and not to be forced or placed under duress,” said Mr. Richard Kassman, TIPNG Director, in his address to workshop participants. “The Office of the Electoral Commissioner is a constitutional office and it cannot be and should not be directed by other departmental heads. The Electoral Commissioner delegates that responsibility to Provincial Election Managers as constitutional officers. In the conduct of the National Elections, PNGEC Provincial Managers can work with the Provincial Administrators and Provincial Police Commanders to deliver the elections, but they do not take direction from those offices. PNGEC Provincial Election Managers make the decisions when it comes to elections,” said Mr. Kassman. The workshop was attended by Electoral Managers from Morobe, East New Britain, New Ireland, Milne Bay, Central, NCD, Eastern Highlands and Jiwaka. The workshop was opened by Mr. Simon Sinai, PNG Electoral Commissioner, and had presentations by Janet Haue, National Capital District Commission and Mr. Gideon Ikumu, NCD Metropolitan Superintendent who spoke on Provincial Elections Steering Committees and the role of Elections Security Personnel respectively. The workshop under TIPNG’s Building Elections Integrity through Partnership (BEIP) Project was to ensure greater accountability during elections and enforcement of election laws and processes. The sessions included activities on ethical dilemmas and electoral corruption risk assessment. Through the BEIP project, TIPNG is working with partners like the PNGEC to strengthen elections integrity.

Nineteen rangers who have recently completed the inaugural Ranger Capacity Development Project are ready to strengthen the Kokoda Track Authority’s (KTA) management of the iconic Kokoda Track. The rangers completed five months of basic training including Conservation and Ecosystems management skills to equip them to better manage the Track and its unique surrounds. The KTA Ranger Capacity Development Project (RCDP) is supported by the Australian Government through the Kokoda Initiative, part of the PNGAustralia Partnership. KTA Acting Chief Executive Officer Julius Wargirai congratulated the rangers at the ceremony and acknowledged their commitment through the intensive training program. “This is an important milestone. This is the first ever training provided to KTA rangers to conserve and maintain the Track, support the tourism and trekking industry, protect the natural environment, and maintain sites of military significance,” said Julius. “Through this ranger training program KTA, for the first time, has engaged four women as rangers on the Kokoda Track”, he added. “The Kokoda Track is one of Papua New Guinea’s most important tourism assets. The better trained our rangers are, the better and safer the Kokoda Track will be for both international and domestic trekkers to visit,” added KTA CEO. A select number of graduates will progress to an advanced curriculum in 2022 to enable the KTA to take on more responsibilities to protect the environment, tourism and heritage resources in partnership with Kokoda Initiative agencies including CEPA, the NMAG and the TPA and Oro and Central Provincial Governments. This will see advanced graduates awarded with an internationally recognised Certificate in Conservation and Ecosystems Management. In attendance during the graduation were the Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp, Northern Province Governor, Hon. Gary Juffa MP, Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture, Hon. Isi Henry Leonard MP and other guests. High Commissioner Philp congratulated the rangers for completing the training program and acknowledged the resilience of the of men and women rangers. “The Kokoda Track is an important symbol of the enduring partnership between PNG and Australia, and an important driver of people-to-people links,” the High Commissioner said. “This ranger capacity training program will strengthen what the KTA is doing to ensure the track is safe and well managed for everyone. “Australia is very pleased to support the PNG Government and local communities in their management of the Kokoda Track and the surrounding region,” he added “The addition of more rangers, including women rangers, to the KTA team will make the Kokoda Track an even more attractive tourist destination when international travel can resume.”

Foreign Exchange (FX) liquidity and the Kina performed well in the final quarter of 2021, with strong commodity prices supporting the FX market turnover’s rise by 9.8 percent over the past six (6) months. According to BSP Financial Group Limited’s Pacific Economic and Market Insight Q4 report for 2021, strong commodity prices in Crude Oil, Copper, Palm Oil and Coffee have supported an increase in FX market turnover. Loose Monetary Policy in the US drove a continued uplift in the US Dollars, and by extension the PNG Kina /Australian Dollars, through most of the quarter. Inflation, COVID-19, and Monetary Policy are the major trend drivers. BSP Financial Group General Manager Treasury – Rohan George in highlighting the market performance said firmer commodity prices, combined with increased project specific, donor foreign currency inflows and end of year dividend payments, offset the lost FX market inflows from the closure of the Porgera Gold Mine - an FX inflow that was down by 75% for Barrick. April 2022 remains the targeted date for the Porgera Mine re-opening. “The Kina has been stable and unchanged against the USD at 0.2850 for the past 14 months; however the pullback in the AUD/USD, amid COVID-19 related weakness in the Australian economy, strength in the U.S. economy helped strengthen the Kina/AUD. The Kina is likely to remain stable against the USD, while a steady AUD will see improved stability in the Kina/AUD cross rate,” Mr. George said. In terms of outlook for the coming quarter, the BSP Treasurer said the very strong FX inflows in December 2021 are expected to taper in the March Quarter of 2022. December FX inflows have substantially reduced outstanding FX orders from high levels seen in November, and this is expected to reverse in January, February with post-Christmas restocking. “With market turnover dropping, and outstanding FX orders expected to rise in the first quarter of the year, Corporate and Retail customers can manage the volatility in foreign currency inflows by placing FX orders (with correct documentation), as soon as possible and ensure orders are cash backed whilst awaiting execution, tax clearance certificates are current and reflect the expected FX order execution time,” Mr. George added. Meanwhile Papua New Guinea’s commodity recovery remains steady as prices for major agricultural exports – Palm Oil and Coffee trended upwards in the last quarter of 2021, on both supply constraints and firm demand. Gold and precious metals were trending downwards, constrained by a strong USD, rising interest rates and reduced gold purchases. Copper prices have notably cooled from November peaks, as central banks around the world begin to reign in pandemic-era stimulus programs. Arabica Coffee prices continue to trend upwards, due to reduced coffee production from leading producer Brazil and rising global coffee demand while LNG continues its bull run as demand surged in Q4, due to the energy crisis in Europe and post COVID-19 supply chain disruptions.

The Rabaul Rugby Schools Select Side (RRSSS) team will kick off its 2022 season with a K40,000 sponsorship boost from BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP). The team is among 12 that will take part in the 2022 seasons of the Rabaul Rugby Football League (RRFL) School Rugby League Competition in East New Britain Province. BSP Rabaul Branch Manager David Pilai said BSP continues in the path to identify, develop and support young talents through sports and what better way to do so through this sponsorship of K40,000 towards the Rabaul Schools Select Side and (RRFL) competition for yet another year. “BSP believes in supporting the communities we operate in. Whether it be through sports development among our youngsters in the community level or through our Community Projects covering Health and Education, one of which you can see if you go to Matupit. “This sponsorship support will go towards upgrading the second sports field which will be used in the competition. Trophies, sporting equipment and competition cost is also covered in this sponsorship by BSP. Apart from the K40, 000 sponsorship, BSP will also run Financial Literacy Training in selected grades in schools that are participating in this competition,” Mr Pilai added. RRFL President Michael Marum on behalf of the Rabaul Rugby League Executives, School Coordinators, staff and officials thanked BSP for coming through with a sponsorship of K40, 000 again in 2022. Last year’s sponsorship saw 750 students from five (5) different schools in Rabaul participate in the Rabaul Rugby School League program. “Rabaul rugby league in its revival stages in 2021 has already become a model league in the country which has a fair representation of players of men, women, boys and girls. This is something we are proud off. We set high standards in our competition seniors and juniors and want to become better ambassadors of the code, place we come from and who we represent,” Mr Marum said. “Without BSP’s support we would have not been able to send 60 of our kids to represent Rabaul in Kokopo during the schools championships, NGI in Port Moresby during the national schools championships which was something our players have been missing out on for nearly 20 years. With this partnership our future kids can see the partway we have created for them to be able to also participate in such programs in years to come. We look forward to a successful 2022 school competition,” the president added. BSP as the biggest financial and banking institution in PNG and the Pacific, not only assist rugby development programs; we also support junior development in other sporting codes such as cricket through the BSP School Kriket Program, Tennis and Squash through their National Championships, Golf through the Junior Pro Am, Indoor and Beach Volleyball, just to name a few. “A testament to this is PNG’s Cricket team - PNG Barramundis. The Barras took part in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final Series last year. Nine of the 16 players were identified through their participation in the BSP School Kriket program. Their talents were developed and eventually made it to the senior men’s team to represent PNG. So we hope this sponsorship will also see talents identified and developed for future international rugby matches,” Mr Pilai further added.

Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) has announced the appointment of four females to various management roles within the Company as part of its Vision 2025 to increase the number of females in leadership roles. These includes Ani Topurua who was appointed to the newly created role of Manager Social and Sustainability, Carolyne Manahave as Manager Contracts and Legal, Lyndah Brown as Manager Process Asset Renewal (PAR) Project Interface, and Chantel Christensen as Manager Ok Tedi Way Project. The appointments now bring the total number of female managers in OTML to seven. Ms Topurua has been with OTML since 2004 and held various supervisory roles including Mine Closure Coordinator and most recently Superintendent Socio-Economic Assessment. Ms Manahave has more than 17 years of experience in Contracts and Legal having worked with Newcrest Mining and Oil Search prior to joining OTML in 2018. Prior to her current appointment, she was Superintendent Contracts reporting to Ms Christensen who will now oversee the implementation of the Ok Tedi Way, a program aimed at consolidating and implementing OTML’s vision, values, culture, and management systems. Ms Brown, who joined OTML in 2018 is ideally suited to her new role having transferred from the position of Manager Processing Improvement. The PAR Project is one of OTML’s strategic projects being implemented to extend the life of mine to 2032. OTML Managing Director and CEO, Musje Werror said the elevation of these highly experienced females is part of OTML’s plans to increase female staff in leadership roles and contribute to the company’s growth and success. “Ok Tedi is an equal opportunity employer, and diversity and inclusion are paramount to our success. Females play an important role in our society and when given the leadership opportunity, not only do they succeed as individuals, the company and the country also prospers,” Mr Werror said. The Company targets to increase the number of females in the organisation to 20% and have 25% female representation in leadership roles before the end of 2025

ncsl members with membership ID cards can continue to enjoy discounts with various service providers and one that stands out due to medical needs is partnering with privately owned medical hospitals. Recently, your Society renewed its Value Back Loyalty Program (VBLP) Service Agreement with partner Paradise Private Hospital (PPH) here in NCD for members to enjoy 15% instant discount on all available medical services. Upon initial registration in 2021, PPH agreed to a 12 months term but has since a demand for medical services and has extended the partnership term to 36 months (3 years). Team Leader – Marketing and Client Relations, Ms. Evelove Farapo said ncsl is grateful to PPH for extending the service term as 40% of its members resides in the Nation’s Capital. “We’d like to urge other privately owned medical hospitals to become a partner because there are cross-promotional benefits between ncsl and its service providers under the VBLP,”Ms. Farapo said. “The VBLP is an extension of ncsl’s customer service to reward membership loyalty and especially to retain contributing members. For our members, getting a 15 percent discount is a good deal rather than having to pay 100 percent upfront”, she said. The Hospital’s Director Administration and Finance Mrs. Janet Sios said that PPH valued the partnership as it will expand their service to many Papua New Guineans. “PPH has over the last six years embarked on the improvement of our services by investing in high-end equipment and also in our staff to ensure we reach our goals of serving our people better and making healthcare accessible in our country for our people,” Mrs. Sios said. She continued “our staff have also joined ncsl for savings and this has been a significant outcome for our staff. Staff can now save towards goals and can access more from the financial products on offer by ncsl. We are excited about 2022 and we hope we continue to improve in our services.” Discounts can be obtain through presentation of ncsl membership card at service providers’ locations. Members without a ncsl ID card can visit their nearest ncsl branch to get a membership card for a fee of K20.00. For more information on this article, please contact Ms. Louise Mary Kodor – Media & Communications Officer on 313 2055 or email lkodor@ncsl.com.pg.

Under nutrition comes in many forms and shapes, however stunted growth is the prevalent form in PNG. Stunting (impaired growth and development) in children is caused by an inadequate supply of essential nutrients, such as calcium, protein, vitamins and carbohydrates needed for healthy growth. In August 2021, Papua New Guinea commenced its first trial of milk in schools program. The program implemented by Ilimo Dairy Farm at Nonu Independent Institute of Education, Boroko, Port Moresby is exclusively sponsored by Kina Bank. The program included daily distribution of a Ilimo milk stik that is made from fresh Ilimo milk, to the school’s children and` included class sessions on a variety of topics that helped the children learn about dairy cows, the milk they produce, the nutrients in milk, the benefits of drinking milk and other dairy products such as yoghurt and even ice cream. Gallit Tamir, Business development manager of Innovative Agro Industry, the developers and operators of Ilimo Dairy farm said “Nutrition is an integral part of the child’s academic education. Educate the children on good nutrition, to enable them to make the right choices. Provide the children with nutritious meals and they will incorporate what they are taught”. “Milk contains a full nutritional package. In fact, milk is known to be the number one single food contributor to most of the bone-related growth nutrients. Whole milk alone has 9 essential nutrients that every child needs for their growth” “We are now looking to expand the Milk in Schools program in 2022 and seeking for more sponsors” she added, “the results of the sponsored by Kina Bank are outstanding. Not only did we record impressive positive impact in the physical growth of the children that received the daily dairy portion, moreover their attendance and cognitive development including in aspects monitored such as reading and writing, concentration in class and social skills has reflected remarkable improvement as the program progressed.”

The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) has expressed great sadness on the passing of Ralph Tarasomo, who was the PNG Baseball and Softball Confederation President and current Deputy Chair of the Justification Committee (JC) attached with Team PNG, at the time of his passing. From 2016 to date, Tarasomo was a member of the Team PNG Justification Committee, and remained as deputy chair to the Justification Committee Chair Kila Dick. The Team PNG Justification Committee (JC), is one of the PNGOC’s seven (7) Committee’s that receives and deliberates on Athletes and Sports applications and selections to have representative duties under Team PNG to the respective cycles of the Olympic Games, Olympic Youth Games, Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games, and the Pacific and Pacific Mini Games. The PNGOC joins the rest of the sporting fraternity in mourning the loss of a vocal and dedicated sports administrator, and also expressed their heart-felt sympathies towards the Tarasomo family on his passing on January 27th. In a brief statement, President Sir John Dawanincura expressed his sincere condolences to Ralph Tarasomo’s three (3) children Talitha, Jack and Salagil and family; and the PNG Baseball and Softball Confederation fraternity, “It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing of one of the great personality in sports, a great teacher, mentor, administrator and friend who channeled his passion towards his beloved baseball and softball code until his untimely passing”. On behalf of the PNGOC and its 39 other National Federations and Committees, Sir John added “We share the in the sympathies from across PNG, our thoughts and prayers are with the family on the loss of their loved one. We also remember his wife the late Suluet Tarasomo, who passed on to eternity in November 2021. The passing of both is a great loss to the sports fraternity and the country.