The Ihu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the Gulf province is on its way to become a fully registered SEZ project after development partners hopped on the band wagon to support this major project reach its fruition. The Ihu Special Economic Zone team signed 4 contracts with partners to start the development of project area in the Gulf province. The partners include China Railway Construction Company to build and upgrade the roads to the SEZ, Dataco PNG for communication links along with WR Carpenters. "The Ihu SEZ is not registered yet, but from the pace that they are going they are telling the rest of us that they want to make this happen, " said the Minister for International Trade and Investments, Richard Maru. Maru said that Ihu SEZ has set an example now for the rest of the other SEZs to follow. On that note, he urgent the ones like Simbu- Karamui SEZ to start working towards getting it off the ground by partnering with developing partners. The Ihu Special Economic Zone project was proposed back in 2017 and would have gotten off ground two years later had it not been for COVID- 19. The pandemic put a halt to the planned commencement. But now with the pandemic subsiding, the project team has moved and contracts signed, is a testimony to that.

The success of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) projects in Papua New Guinea (PNG) will depend on a lot of things going forward, but perhaps the most important thing to address in the context of PNG, is landownership. Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru, said land is the most significant thing in the SEZ projects because the landowners will participate and benefit as well from it. Minister Maru said the idea is not just for the state to buy off land from customary landowners, but to have equal participation whereby landowners register their land and get a title that they can use to deal with the provincial or national government to engage with in the SEZ projects. “”I don’t want to see any more land acquired by the state, our people must be settled for their land,” said the minister. “In this year’s budget, the Marape government provided K150million for land mobilization and development.” “We must unlock millions of hectors of customary land in this country to be successful in SEZs and we can’t do SEZs without our people’s lives transformed.” Meanwhile, the Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso will be talking more on customary land mobilization for SEZs tomorrow in the SEZ Summit in Port Moresby, where more on how the government will be engaging the people and their land for the projects, will be further discussed. Land is a matter of importance and at the heart of every Papua New Guinean and to fully understand and know how the state is going the work on this going forward, is important.

The inaugural Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Summit started this morning with talks on the difference models of SEZs, the financing, and partnership. Mr. Shubhojeet Chakavary from Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) India said financing a SEZ is usually done as per the SEZ model. Giving his talk this morning, he said for a Public Private Partnership approach like that in Papua New Guinea, the financing is done by private sector investment while the state remains the facilitor for enabling a conducive environment to do business. That would mean enabling ease in financing the project, including making foreign currency available, something which PNG lacks currently. He said different models are applied in other countries. They include the state running everything to establish SEZs, a joint development model under PPP, and Business to Business a Government to Government model. Meanwhile, the state as an enabler must ensure services such as roads and infrastructure, utilities like power and water, security, legal requirements and politicies, a proper SEZ road map and most importantly land is made available for SEZs. "It all comes down to cooperation between state and private developer to enable the success of SEZs," he stressed.

Papua New Guinea will remain part of the Commonwealth group of nations under the new reign of King Charles III. That was known to the people by the Prime Minister James Marape when officiating at the in- country celebration marking the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 06th May in Port Moresby. Marape said their have been critics saying that PNG should consider not remaining in the Commonwealth and having the Monarchy as the head of state. But, PM Marape said PNG will continue being part of the biggest block of nations in the world because of the continued relationship with the UK and member Commonwealth nations because of our history, common interests and shared values.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) joined the rest of the Commonwealth nations to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III with an in- country ceremony yesterday Saturday 06th of May, held at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby city during the evening. Acting Governor General and Speaker of Parliament, Job Pomat, said PNG has a long history with the Monarchy having shared many interests, and conveyed on behalf of the people of PNG the country’s warmest congratulations of His Majesty’s Coronation as King of the United Kingdom (UK) and the Commonwealth realm of nations. “We value our ties with the United Kingdom and our membership of the Commonwealth; thus, on this momentous occasion, we affirm our commitment and our assertion to the Monarchy,” said the Acting Governor General. Pomat said PNG and the UK have always engaged in excellent relations since pre- independence time. “We have benefited from this association and the Commonwealth nations in many areas, including economic development, trade and bilateral relations, and human development.” “I am convinced that this bond of trust, friendship and cooperation will further strengthen during His Majesty’s reign. It is hoped that under the reign of King Charles III, the UK and the Commonwealth will continue to prosper, enjoy peace and stability and continue to be a defender for good, for promotion of democratic value, human rights, the rule of law, and peace throughout the world. “In these and other matters which the UK is a passionate advocator such as the environment, climate change, renewable energy, and small island developing states, we pledge our commitment and support.” Meanwhile, King Charles III has a long history and relationship with PNG that goes back to the 1960s. His Majesty was present to witness PNG’s independence on 16th September 1975. In 1984 he officiated at the opening of the parliament house in Port Moresby and in 2012, he visited the country to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. In his earlier visit to PNG, King Charles visited the Dogura Marty’s Memorial School near Popondetta in the Northern Province back in the 1960s, when he was a student in Australia on a student exchange program.

The Papua LNG project, which is expected to go into its construction phase in 2024 onwards, is expected to recruit over a thousand skilled workforce; presenting a big opportunity for Papua New Guineans to work in the next big LNG project. The upcoming LNG project will require skilled workforce in place and ready for the construction phase when it eventually commences, and the recruitment for this should be handled well with the assistance of a new online career portal that was developed by Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL). Just this week on Tuesday the Papua LNG operator TotalEnergies EP PNG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with KPHL confirming its support for the newly developed WAN PNG platform, which should assist in recruiting qualified people. WAN PNG platform is a national candidate database and career portal that has been developed and managed by KPHL that is dedicated to expanding opportunities for Papua New Guineans. “This commitment by Papua LNG and its operation demonstrates their intention to maximize national content in this LNG project with respect to employment of qualified Papua New Guineans for the construction and operations,” said the KPHL Managing Director Mr. Wapu Sonk. “The platform will provide a clear pathway to employment no matter whether one is a student, school leaver, university graduate, employed or unemployed. It will provide access to training, life skills, career advice, and employment opportunities.” Meanwhile, the Public Affairs Manager for TotalEnergies, Mr. Richard Kassman, said that the Papua LNG would require over a thousand employees for the upstream, the pipeline and downstream construction phase, which is expected to take about 4 years to do. Interested applicants can apply through the WAN PNG platform for positions advertised for the Papua LNG project, once the platform is launched.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is ready to host its first Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Summit with delegates from seven countries converge on the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby this weekend to start this important summit. Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru said that there should be about 450 delegates, both international and local, to be here in the nation’s capital for the summit. “International speakers from six countries are arriving, the Japanese team have already arrived and the rest will be arriving on Saturday to speak as presenters during the summit,” said the minister. The aim of the inaugural SEZ Summit is to assist PNG learn from many countries who have been very successful in developing Special Economic Zones to create thousands of employment and bringing billions in foreign currency and foreign direct investment, and build industries. “This summit will allow us to learn from other countries, discuss our proposed policy, proposed new comprehensive legislative framework and also discuss our new ten year development plan for SEZs in Papua New Guinea.” Maru said that PNG had its first SEZ in Lae, the Malahang Industrial Park. That was followed by Free Trade Zone for Vanimo, Pacific Maritime Industrial Zone (PMIZ) in Madang and the Konebada Petroleum Park. However, these have not been successfully developed. “So, one could argue that in the last 30 years, Papua New Guinea has failed to develop the Special Economic Zone sector to transform our economy, while other countries have been successful.” Maru said SEZ is a vehicle that has worked in many countries in the world, which is why this summit is import for PNG. Also during the summit the partners of the SEZ Authority and the ministry to develop SEZs, will be making their presentations on how they can partner and co- fund the development of the SEZ sector. “We need cheap reliable power, we need improved law and order, we need roads, and we need telecommunications.” Minister Maru later thanked the sponsors that made the inaugural SEZ Summit come about, which includes the Department of National Planning, Kumul Consolidated Holdings, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited, National Fisheries Authority, PNG Ports, MRDC, Telikom PNG and Securities Commission, and SEZ Authority and Minister of International Trade and Investment. Mr. Maru said the sponsors raised K1.5million to host this inaugural SEZ Summit, which will start on Sunday 07th of May. The countries confirmed to attend are China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, and Bangladesh. The International Financial Corporation (IFC) will be attending as well.

The landowners of the Special Mining Lease (SML) area of the Porgera Mine in Enga province now want full participation in mine contracts under the new agreement of the new Porgera Mine. The landowners have established a landowner company which they aim to apply for contract bids issued out by the state and developer, Barrick Niugini Limited (BNL). Chairman of the landowner company Mr. Sol Taro said for too long they have received a small portion of payments in royalties and not benefiting from the contracts issued out to companies to provide services to the mining project. He said for 30 years of the mine’s life, they have not really benefited much through contracts with the mining company. Now that the government had stopped the approval of a new SML after the first one expired, they jumped on the opportunity to make new deals with the state and the developer to the benefit of their people. “Now new Porgera, we established a new landowner company- Ari Group of companies, with subsidiary companies for each clan coming under Umbrella Company, to get contracts for nine subsidiary companies with 25 clans as shareholders.” “We want to get 100 per cent in contract from new Porgera,” said the Chairman. Mr. Taro said that the company has the funds now and is ready to participate in new Porgera mine project going forward. The new landowner company has also invited potential investors to partner with them in providing services through their contract engagements. The Ari Group of companies is a registered company, having already registered with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA). The landowner company will officially launch on the 19th of May in Lae city where government officials have been invited to attend. The chairman said before they all go to the Development Forum of the Porgera mine, their request for contracts will be sent to the state and developer. Under the umbrella company, there are 9 subsidiaries specializing in transport, equipment hire, catering, energy supply and logistical services.

Local producers and service providers in the country will in the near future see the benefits of the establishment of Trade Commission Services under Papua New Guinea (PNG) Foreign Services in the various countries that the country is represented in. The Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru, when making the official announcement of the new Trade Commission Service, said that the establishment of the new Trade Commission Service was a direct decision of the National Government in an effort to improve trade and investments, and the economic growth of PNG. “Since independence we have our Foreign Service operation through our Embassy and High Commission throughout the world, but the Marape- Rosso government has decided, on top of the Foreign Service, for the first time to embark on a new Trade Commission Service that will complement the Foreign Service work,” said the minister. He said that the aim is to establish this service in all 8 countries that PNG is represented in. The trade mission will be headed by a trade commissioner and staff, who will be operating either in an Embassy or High Commission, co- sharing the office with the Foreign Service headed by an Ambassador or High Commissioner, or in an office of their own. Minister Maru said that the Trade Commission Service has a different focus from the Foreign Service. They are; • Focus on trade by look for export markets for PNG’s products and services, • Focus on getting foreign investors to come invest in major economic projects in PNG, • To be the focal point in various countries that PNG will be undertaking studies and negotiations for free trade agreements with PNG. “The recent decision is consistent with the Marape government decision to establish the ministry of international trade and investment. “Our core business is to look for market for our products and to bring in foreign investors to invest in our country, in particular in the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) that we are embarking on.” Minister Maru said the decision of the government is timely because on Sunday 07th May, the prime minister will open the first SEZ Summit for PNG and over the next few days, six countries will present about how they successfully developed SEZ, which has been a key driver for economic growth and transformation of economies for the better. Meanwhile, the minister also announced that the first overseas mission to see the establishment of the first Trade Commission Service, will be in the PNG Embassy in China. The reason being that China is PNG’s most important trading partner. “China’s president has announced over and over again that they are ready to buy everything that we produce, from our fish to our coffee, to our palm oil and to our gas that we produce. “China will become the most important market for Papua New Guinea,” said Minister Maru.

Total Energies, the lead developer of the Papua LNG project, is looking at recruiting over 5, 000 people for the construction phase of the project, through the newly developed WAN PNG Platform. Total Energies Country Manager Mr. Richard Kassman said the construction phase will be done both upstream and downstream, which means the project up in the Gulf province with the Conditioning Plant and then the pipeline down to the facilities in the Central province. “Basically, at very high level of Total employees, we are looking at upstream 3, 000 to 4, 000 people and downstream be 2, 000 to 3, 000 people as well,” said Mr. Kassman. Mr. Kassman said that at the downstream, where the facility will be built within the PNG LNG project, the expected number of employees is 3, 000 plus. “At this stage we are firming up numbers, the project could potentially bring in additional jobs in total of 6, 000.” The Papua LNG project is close to its Final Investment Decision (FID) and the new platform is timely to start getting in qualified Papua New Guineans with technical, trades, catering, administration and logistical background who can be employed and engaged for the construction phase. Meanwhile, the WAN PNG platform is a national candidate database developed and managed by Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) to increase the sustainable employment of local talent. KPHL Managing Director Mr. Wapu Sonk said, “This commitment by Papua LNG and its operation demonstrates their intention to maximize national content in this LNG project with respect to employment of qualified Papua New Guineans for the construction and operations.” The platform also got its backing through Total Energies sponsorship for its upcoming launching, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two parties on Tuesday 02nd May. Under this arrangement, Papua LNG is now a major sponsor for the launch and support of WAN PNG platform to the value of K250, 000. Once launched, interested applicants can log onto the platform site and apply through there, for the Total Energies positions advertised on the WAN PNG platform.

Two fire fighters were injured and properties worth over hundred thousand Kina were destroyed on Tuesday evening after fire burned through about two units of buildings at the Yumi Yet estate in Gerehu, Port Moresby. Fire Superintendent of the Waigani Fire Station, Sedrick Luwai said that the fire started at around 4pm at a guest house and then spread to the nearby buildings.  He said the fire crew were able to save one school within the premises but couldn't save the others. "We couldn't save the other buildings because there were no firebreaks between the units and the whole area inside doesn't have any fire hydrants to assist firefighters with water." He said the two fire fighters that were injured were taken by St John Ambulance to the hospital. One fire fighter was cut by a fallen roofing iron and the other inhaled toxic fumes. He said a full investigation will be conducted into the incident to find out how the fire started. Fortunately, no further people were injured or killed in the fire.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkachenko will be representing Prime Minister (PM) James Marape and the people of Papua New Guinea (PNG) at the Coronation of King Charles III. The minister made this announcement after he was given instructions from the PM to represent the country. Minister Tkachenko will be travelling in a few days’ time to join the PNG Governor General, Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, who has already left for London as the representative of the King. “We look forward to seeing him and representing Papua New Guinea, because King Charles the third is now the King of Papua New Guinea,” said the minister. “There’s only fourteen realms in the Commonwealth and Papua New Guinea is one of those realms, a very important realm.” The minister said this major event is significant because the United Kingdom (UK) has interest in PNG and the region. “We’ve just had the Secretary General of the Commonwealth come and visit us here in Port Moresby and we also had the UK Foreign Minister, Secretary of State here as well.” “So, it shows you the interest in the region, interest in the pacific, but a traditional partner as well going forward.” The Coronation of King Charles III will take place on the 06th of May in London, England.