The Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA) has granted Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd (KPHL) a 12-month provisional developer licence to progress the Central Province Industrial Park in the Caution Bay area.
SEZA Chairman Dr Lawrence Sause confirmed the board’s decision in a small ceremony on Wednesday, where he formally presented the licence to KPHL managing director Wapu Sonk.
“We welcome this milestone for Central Province and commend KPHL for taking the lead,” Dr Sause said, noting that the provisional licence will be converted into a full developer licence once the authority receives the required financial documentation.
Sonk said KPHL was committed to operating the industrial park as a dedicated precinct close to the ExxonMobil-operated LNG Plant.
“We are currently constructing a training academy and steel fabrication facility in the area, an investment of US$145 million under Phase 1 of the development,” he said. “This will be the foundation for industrial growth in the SEZ.”
He added that the Caution Bay site was well positioned for large-scale industry. “The area has all the necessary elements for a successful SEZ – road access, reliable power, proximity to the sea and an international wharf – all suitable for industrial development. The fabrication facility will be completed in 2026 and will provide training and employment for an estimated 3,000 local people.”
Dr Sause stressed the importance of ensuring that special economic zones already approved by government are successfully implemented to build investor confidence.
“It is vital that SEZs attract both national and international investors,” he said. “By demonstrating their viability, we can show how this strategy will enable Papua New Guinea to leapfrog into value-adding industries that create jobs and unlock the potential of our natural resources.”
Sonk said the initiative was aligned with Kumul Petroleum’s broader vision of strengthening national content in major projects.
“At Kumul Petroleum, we are planning for the future – preparing for greater participation of qualified Papua New Guineans, as well as developing local steel fabrication capabilities. We can best achieve this in an SEZ,” he said.
He also thanked the Marape–Rosso government for supporting KPHL’s role in driving industrial development.
“We thank the government for their faith in Kumul Petroleum and their willingness to consider awarding us operatorship of the next SEZ,” Sonk said.
