Cocoa spot prices are still climbing around🇵🇬. Those centres with greater competition are seeing better prices. In the past 12 months, cocoa has had a better return (250%) than Bitcoin (149%) #PNG

#PNG is a tough country to be a bush pilot. Add in macro-shocks of fuel constraints, inflation + FX and it's a wonder how some mission planes continue to operate in our most remote areas. This is a MAF Kodiak 100 taking off from Kompiam Rural Airstrip, Enga. Video by Peter Maru.

More on National Gold Corporation Bill 2022: Refinery Holdings Ltd is Oz-owned company registered in Singapore. They've played a long game. With expertise/capital from the 🇬🇧+🇸🇬 +🇦🇺, this bill is their golden bullet. See their business profile/shareholders tinyurl.com/3fwzdyph

Ombudsman Commission's list of outstanding acquittals for #PNG's provincial/district grants. Only 8 provinces have completed their PSIP obligations. Hela & New Ireland Provinces the worst - both haven't submitted acquittals since 2012. How can taxpayer funded spending be tracked?

Chaos at Tokua Airport as prolonged combination of delayed runway rehabilitation, smaller capacity planes with restricted numbers, fuel constraints, delays/cancellations have led to this tipping point: 8 tonne backlog of cargo unable to be uplifted and disgruntled customers #PNG

Trend: PNGeans seeking international recognition by applying to shoddy online platforms for a "global award". #PNG media then blows it out of proportion olsem Jisas kam bek. Meanwhile, buai-kona's Paps can get the same A4 award by filling a form/paying a fee. Apim nem em #1 sport

Originally a bulldozer, this earthmoving plant was modified and used as an armoured tank by the Bougainville Revolutionary Army during #PNG's Bougainville Crisis. Today it sits as a steel witness to what was, and what is. Located next to Tupukas River near Arawa (Photo: BID)

Rabaul is becoming a nightmare. Continuous youth fighting, social disorder, limited enforcement resources + a lack of leadership/accountability from all levels and branches of gov authority have contributed to this reality. Photo: K. Biang - fighting this morning in Rabaul #PNG

The Refinery Holdings Ltd saga continues. Find attached the National Gold Corporation and Shareholders Agreement from 2021. #PNG Gov says there's a new draft (yet to be released publicly). The new agreement will largely be based on this draft: tinyurl.com/492abf2c

#PNG's Independent Commission Against Corruption says that it has so far received over 100 complaints, with the most common being bribery. ICAC estimates that up to K4 billion is being lost to corruption every year. Important that the country stays off the Grey List.

The cocoa boon for #PNG farmers continues with major cocoa buyer/exporter Elliven running out of cash in Wewak yesterday. Established agricultural company Agmark also reportedly paid out K1 million in cash on a single day to cocoa farmers in Bougainville. (Photo: A. Bird).

With MPs arguing about the state of #PNG's business environment, it's worth paying attention to business leaders. The 2024 🇵🇬100 CEO Survey sheds insight critical impediments. Nothing surprising, but it provides context into challenges/opportunities BusinessAdvantagePNG🇵🇬

"Dinau moni" or extortionate money lending is prevalent in #PNG. When these ridiculous interest rates are not able to be met by desperate clients, muscle is called in to recuperate funds. Personal responsibility, financial literacy and gov intervention are key.

How do we localise and duplicate the success of EU Funded UN Joint STREIT PNG Programme across #PNG? It's impressive how consistent funding, expert training/guidance + village agro development have contributed to improving outcomes for Sepik farmers. Imagine the impact of such a program on the national level

Mendi Airport received its first commercial aircraft yesterday since 2018. Airlines #PNG conducted a test flight, landing on a revamped strip six years after the burning of a Air Niugini Limited plane closed all flight operations into the town. Airport is due to be open May 3. (Video: WMA).

Interesting times ahead regarding environmental justice in #PNG. With collective action law firm Pogust Goodhead recently opening an office in Sydney, it is likely that new future claims against BHP in 🇵🇬 will be opened.

Australia has officially launched its Pacific Engagement Visas. Up to 3000 nationals from the Pacific will be randomly chosen. #PNG has 1350 allocated PEV visas. You could call Australia home: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-…

IRC says of 71 businesses that registered for Gov financial support due to Jan 10 riots, only 36 paid taxes in past 3yrs. Discrepancies btwn value of net worth lodged to claim gov support vs reported to IRC also exist. Most are asking for grants. Triple dipping shenanigans? #PNG

#PNG MPs talking about pushing wheelbarrows to raise funds for #Enga. Wouldn't it be nice to have pool of $ paid by extractive industry taxes - i.e the SWF? Establish an off-set account specifically for national disasters. There would be billions in SWF by now if gov was serious.

Skullduggery to the highest degree: #PNG's Opposition have been denied another tabling of the VONC due to the names of supporting MP's who signed off on the motion not exactly matching the names as per their respective electoral writs, i.e they omitted their middle names. Yes.