Papua New Guinea’s second country validation on implementing the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Global Standard commences on Friday, April, 1st, 2022.
Head of the PNGEITI National Secretariat Mr. Lucas Alkan says the “validation” is intended to assess the impact EITI implementation has made in the country in terms of addressing sector governance challenges.
The six months validation exercise will entail an independent and comprehensive assessment with an announcement on the outcome by the international EITI board expected in October.
“Our second country Validation will be a quality assessment on how far we have progressed implementing the EITI International best practice requirements in PNG,” Mr. Alkan said.
PNG was awarded “meaningful progress” ranking in its first Validation in 2018 with recommendations to close EITI reporting gaps and this validation will assess how PNG implemented recommendations and other EITI requirements under the EITI Standard.
“The validation focuses on the efforts made by the country in; implementing the specific requirements as prescribed by the EITI Standard, the lessons learned or challenges faced in the country’s effort to implement these requirements, the progress made in undertaking policy and legislative reforms as recommended through the EITI country reports, as well as any concerns stakeholders may have in the extractive sector relating to resource governance for better management of the sector,” Lucas Alkan explained.
PNG’s validation will be undertaken in 3 phases. Firstly, staff from the EITI International, the PNGEITI Secretariat and its Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) will undertake a desk review of all relevant documentations of the PNGEITI since its inception. Upon completion of the desk review, staff from the EITI International Secretariat will undertake stakeholder consultations with the intent of drawing up the initial validation assessment report.
Upon completion of the country consultations, the EITI International Secretariat team will compile an initial assessment report. An Independent Validator will then review the initial assessment report, do an independent assessment and compile a draft Validation Report. PNG, through PNGEITI MSG will be given an opportunity to assess and provide further feedback on the draft Report before a final Report is submitted to the EITI Board for deliberation and decision making.
“The validation process commences on 1st April and all stakeholders from key government entities, industry players, civil society organizations and development partners are requested to provide necessary information and support when contacted during the consultation process to ensure PNG achieves a good scoring in this second round of assessment,” Mr. Alkan said.
Photo: Downtown Port Moresby
Lands and Physical Planning John Rosso was praised by Hon. James Marape. In Parliament, Rosso applauded the approval of the Strata Title Management Bill 2022, as well as associated legislation and amendments (March 23 2022).
Because of a rising population and a lack of land, the bill permits people to acquire units and flats in high-rise structures.
PM Marape explained that the bill was enacted to modernize the country's land and housing industries.
Smaller Pacific countries like Fiji and Vanuatu, according to the Prime Minister, already have strata title legislation.
“This is a response to our country’s need for housing,” he said.
“The minister has worked very hard on this at the sunset of this term of Parliament.”
PM Marape reminded everyone that only 3% of the country's 462,000 square kilometers are held by the government.
He explained that, with the rising demand for land, there was a need for more affordable housing, which the new law addressed by allowing people to purchase units and apartments in high-rise buildings.
PM Marape stated that this law was only one of several that his administration has approved since taking office in May of this year.
“This law was first talked about 20 years ago,” he said.
“It may seem just like any ordinary Act of Parliament that we’re passing today, however, far that.
“This has a direct value on the economy.
“If one person owns a piece of real estate in an urban area and decides to build a 20-floor building, in which you can find over 60-70 units, these can be individually titled out.
“You don’t need to own a piece of land to have title to an apartment that you can call home.
“This is a law to modernise some of the legacy issues that we have carried through.”
PM Marape thanked both parties in Parliament for their help in getting the new law passed.
Reference: PM James Marape News Page (23 March 2022). “PM Marape commends Minister Rosso on Strata Title Law”.
Hon. Prime Minister James Marape says he wants Madang to become a pillar of Papua New Guinea's economy.
He addressed this in front of hundreds of people at Walium Station in Usino-Bundi when announcing K100 million in financing for the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone (PMIZ).
PM Marape said that hundreds of millions of kina for the PMIZ had been spent with little to show for it during the previous two administrations' tenure, and promised that this would not happen again.
He stated that the project will be administered by the National Fisheries Authority, and that K100 million had already been set up in the 2022 Budget.
The PMIZ project was initially proposed in 2004 and inaugurated by the O'Neill administration in 2015, however despite hundreds of millions of kina being spent, nothing has transpired.
“I want Madang to grow into an economic powerhouse in the country,” PM Marape said.
“The National Government will spearhead this and I appeal to the Madang people to support us in this drive.”
PM Marape reassured Madang residents that the previous two governments' failures would not be repeated.
“We are doing it (PMIZ) much better (than previous governments),” he said.
“This year, for the first time, we are putting K100 million into the PMIZ project.
“We will be making the PMIZ project come to life for the first time.”
Reference: PM James Marape News Page (20 March 2022). “PM Marape announces K100 million funding for Madang PMIZ project”.
Photo: The Usino Junction along the Ramu Highway. To the left is Madang, to the right is Ramu Valley leading on to Markham Valley, and the road in the middle is to Ramu Nico.
Hon. Prime Minister James Marape has announced that a K159 million contract for the Ramu Highway in Madang has been awarded, as well as a K43 million contract to expand the North Coast Road from Bogia to Awar.
When giving K5 million to Madang Governor Hon. The Banu-Bundi Road, which will eventually connect to Gembogl in Chimbu, is being built by Peter Yama.
The Ramu Highway is one of K1.4 billion in new road contracts in Papua New Guinea, and it joins those already in place under the Marape Government's trademark 'Connect PNG' program, which has spent roughly K1 billion on roads around the nation over the previous two years.
The Prime Minister made the announcement o the following contacts:
This totals K1.4 billion.
As he handed the K5 million to Governor Yama, PM Marape emphasized that Usino-Bundi and Madang had not been forgotten by his government.
Basic government services do not reach the people of Usino-Bundi, and road access is a high concern for the three Local Level Government (LLG) regions of Usino, Bundi, and Gama.
“In the next two to three years, we should be able to drive from here to Kundiawa,” PM Marape told an appreciative crowd at Walium.
“This is just part of the broader ‘Connect PNG’ programme in which we are building roads all over the country like never before.
“Today, a very remote place such as Telefomin on the border with West Papua, has just 30km to complete before being joined to Tabubil.
“This is just one example of roads we are building right across our country.”
PM Marape told the people of Usino-Bundi that they were very much part of the ‘Connect PNG’ network.
“The Bundi Road, for which we are here today, is a key missing link which we want to connect,” he said.
“Middle Ramu to Baiyer in Western Highlands is another missing link in Madang which the PNG Defence Force is currently working on.
“My people of Madang, you are not forgotten, as you are right in the middle of an entire network of roads across the whole country.”
Reference: PM James Marape News Page (19 March 2022). “PM Marape announces K159 million road contract for Ramu Highway”.
Timothy Masiu, the Papua New Guinea Minister for Information and Communications Technology, has welcomed the National Information and Communications Technology Authority's (NICTA) decision to give formal written consent on the transfer of license rights to Telstra as a result of Digicel Pacific's proposed acquisition, particularly on Digicel PNG Limited and Hitron Limited.
“The procedure to arrive at the decision by NICTA is governed by the enabling legislation and is done without ministerial influence or input.
I am pleased to note that the procedure has now been exhausted and that a decision has been made and that the government and our people and Digicel and Telstra for that matter can now move forward with the business of delivering telecommunications goods and services to all corners of the country.”
Minister Masiu praised Telstra's pledge to continue to maintain all existing services and networks, as well as the Digicel PNG Foundation's humanitarian activities in early childhood education.
“It would be ideal to anticipate a change of ownership without disturbing the standard and level of service required and I would like to think that our people and the businesses that rely on Digicel’s goods and services will not even notice anything.”
“I understand that with the NICTA announcement, the due diligence process leading to the full acquisition and transfer of ownership to Telstra is now well advanced and nearing completion.
Until then, Digicel will remain until the acquisition is completed.”
Reference: Papua New Guinea Today (10 March 2022). “PNG Minister for ICT Welcomes NICTA Decision on Telstra Acquisition of Digicel”.
The Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) has been certified by the National Training Council (NTC) to conduct Courses in Financial Literacy.
At an official presentation on March 07, NTC presented CEFI its Certificate of Registration to conduct Training.
NTC also presented CEFI ‘Accreditation of Courses’ Certificate that will allow CEFI to conduct Financial Literacy Courses. CEFI’s Head of Training, Jill Pijui was also presented a ‘Certificate of Registration as an Instructor’ by NTC.
Acting Assistant Governor, Financial System Stability Group (FSSG), Bank of Papua New Guinea, George Awap when accepting the certificates on behalf of Acting Governor Bank of Papua New Guinea and Chairman of CEFI Board, Benny Popoitai, thanked NTC for being a standard setting institution.
“Financial education is important and commitment by individuals, families, financial institutions and training institutions is critical in ensuring Papua New Guineans are financially literate,” Mr Awap said.
“I recognize the efforts the National Training Council has done so far in ensuring that quality education is provided at all levels,” Mr Awap added.
CEFI Executive Director Saliya Ranasinghe emphasized that the partnership between CEFI and NTC is important for the growth of financial education in the country.
“We want to be a reputable training institution that will deliver financial literacy training in the country. Financial literacy is important for this country and we have witnessed how lives have changed because of our (financial literacy) training,” Mr Ranasinghe said.
NTC Director Kinsella Geoffrey commended CEFI for their achievement in getting recognized as a training institution to educate Papua New Guineans in financial literacy.
“We (NTC) believe in the work that CEFI does, we have been made aware through the media about your programs of financial literacy to educate our people especially in the rural areas,” Mr Geoffrey said.
“The registration certificate I am going to hand over is a testament of achievement, what we call quality assurance framework, and it talks about three items, trainer, facility and program,” Mr Geoffrey said when handing over the certificates to Mr Awap.
Mr Geoffrey added that the process of getting CEFI certified took two years which involved NTC and CEFI conducting meetings to go through the process of getting CEFI registered.
According to kina Bank's chief executive officer Greg Pawson, the Papua New Guinea economy would revive this year, with positive gross domestic product (GPD) growth.
In Port Moresby, Pawson noted that the government's support for resource projects such as Papua LNG, as well as more to come, will bring foreign investment into the country over the next several years.
“Well, firstly the economy is expected to rebound and the bright light on the horizon is the Government’s endorsement of the Papua LNG Project which will bring an investment into the country over the next several years together with a number of other projects pending finalisation.”
Pawson went on to say that they were keeping a close eye on the present Russia-Ukraine crisis and will continue to analyze any potential geopolitical concerns. Rising commodity prices bode well for exports, but this was countered by rising inflationary pressures on imports.
Kina needs to take advantage of its strong organic growth opportunity in PNG, as well as the good market attitude toward its brand, he added, in order to continue to create profitability and a capital basis to support future investments.
“Our overall market share increased to 16 per cent (up from 11 per cent from when we completed the ANZ acquisition) but there’s still a big gap between us and BSP at around 65 per cent.
“This is a major structural issue for the PNG financial services system that we were seeking to address by acquiring Westpac’s Pacific businesses.”
Reference: Esila, Peter. The National (10 March 2022). “Economy Expected To Rebound”.
Following the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission's decision to reject Kina Bank's bid to buy Westpac's interest in Westpac PNG Limited, Kina Bamk would no longer explore the Westpac purchase deal.
According to Kina Bank CEO Greg Pawson, this is the case.
Mr Pawson explained that one of the factors that made it difficult for Kina Bank in the short term was Westpac's desire to sell both of their businesses (Retail and Business Banking Financial Services) to Kina Bank, which Kina Bank did not want.
He said that when they bought ANZ two years ago to expand their national presence, they purchased the ANZ branch network and did not necessarily desire another one in PNG.
Mr Pawson explained that the major reason they pursued the Westpac purchase in PNG is that it will enable them to scale up faster since they are expanding at a rate of more than 20% per year organically in the country.
He went on to say that purchasing another company is known as an in-organic approach, which means a company may grow quicker, and Kina Bank was able to do so with the help of its investors.
“We weren’t overly disappointed about this because I think the exciting thing for us moving forward is given the work we did in Fiji with potentially acquiring Westpac businesses in Fiji, which is actually set up and ready to go,” he added.
Mr Pawson went on to say that they are particularly interested in ICT and technology and that one of the benefits of owning Westpac Fiji is that it is located on the southern cross cable, which connects the United States to Australia and has a 5G network. As a result, data is less expensive in Fiji, costing only a fraction of what it does in PNG.
Kina Bank believes that Fiji has a strong IT talent or workforce, which is a difficulty for them here in PNG, and that this would better support their operations here.
Reference: Kamus, Maxine. Post-Courier (10 March 2022). “Kina Bank Moves On From Westpac Acquisition”.
Hon. Prime Minister James Marape has announced the payment of K33.7 million to upstream PNG LNG Project landowners of Petroleum Development License (PDL) 7 in Hela, consisting of K19.7 million in cash and K14 million in project component.
The Mineral Resources Development Company was used to make the payment (MRDC).
PDL 7 was one of a series of upstream PDLs that had been hampered by continuing legal challenges that had hampered landowner identification clan verification, according to PM Marape, and as a result, profits had been collected in trust accounts since the start of LNG shipments in 2014.
“Today, after a long delay, the first-ever payment has been made,” he said.
“I commend the landowners and their leaders for assisting the Government and the Department of Petroleum, and the developers, by completing their clan-vetting exercise.
“The landowners were ready, their accounts were opened, and today K19.7 million was distributed in cash to over 200 accounts.
“Another K14 million project component was also delivered as part of the 30 per cent earmarked for project infrastructure.
“Well done to all PDL 7 landowners, and I appeal to PDL 1, PDL 8, PDL 9 and all others that are in dispute to solve their in-house matters before they can be paid.
“All their money has been sitting in trust accounts for so long, however, they need to resolve their landowner issues just like PDL 7 has done – which has resulted in the K19.7 million being paid and K14 million to project area landowners.
“I appeal to PDL 1, 8 and 9 to get behind Government, work to complete landowner identification, and withdraw the court cases that are pending.”
PM Marape commended PDL 7 leaders and educated people for ensuring that landowners were paid their dues.
“It gives me great satisfaction that the first batch of equity has been distributed to landowners at the project area,” he said.
“I also commend Hela Governor Hon. Philip Undialu for his leadership, as well as MRDC Managing-Director Augustine Mano and Department of Petroleum, as well as Department of Prime Minister and NEC Secretary Ivan Pomaleu for being present for the occasion today.”
Reference: PM James Marape News Pagw (10 March 2022). “PM Marape announces payment of K33.7 million to PNG LNG Project landowners”.
Photo credit: Christine Gneh
According to a new World Bank estimate, Papua New Guinea's GDP is expected to increase by 4% in 2022, owing mostly to expansion in the extractives industry.
The research, PNG Economic Update: Navigating a Fragile Recovery, examined major recent changes in PNG's economy and placed them in a longer-term and global perspective, forecasting that the GDP will expand by 1% in 2021 after shrinking by 3.5 percent in 2020. The scheduled reopening of the Porgera gold mine is expected to be the key engine of gross domestic product (GDP) growth this year, with an estimated four percent rise.
However, the analysis predicted that PNG's total medium-term growth will be harmed by global uncertainty.
Despite its economic output not being as severely hit as many other East Asian and Pacific nations, PNG is anticipated to suffer significant problems from the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, according to the research.
While local agriculture output remained unaffected by the pandemic, PNG's total GDP growth lagged behind global and regional norms, with performance further hampered by decreased gold and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, according to the latest study.
“The biggest challenge for the PNG economy this year will be navigating a fragile recovery; this is particularly challenging while uncertainty remains high,” World Bank country economist for PNG Ruslan Piontkivsky said.
“A sound fiscal consolidation strategy – one focused on mobilising domestic revenue to decrease the medium-term fiscal deficit – is vital for PNG,” he said.
“This will be important to navigate while also prioritising improvements to the delivery of public services.” According to the new research, Papua New Guinea should strive to strengthen the credibility of the yearly budget process and guarantee that resource-related enterprises contribute money to PNG's budget in order to achieve fiscal sustainability.
Further changes to PNG's tax policy and administration, according to the research, will eventually assist to lower the country's debt load.
Reference: The National (7 March 2022). “Economy to grow by 4pc: Bank”.
Potential for PNG-UAE commodity trade, including in mineral products will soon be boosted with the involvement of UAE state-owned companies and other private investors closely connected to the country's Royal families.
This is possible through the aggressive implementation of the target-based investment, trade and market access strategic framework by the PNG Expo2020 Pavilion in Dubai. The framework was approved by the Marape Cabinet as part of the Government's policy to increase trade and investment with the focus on using the international economy to facilitate domestic economic growth.
The PNG team in Dubai has made important investment and trade connections with both private and public sector business organisations, including the state-owned commodity trade facilitating agency, the Dubai Mutli-Commodities Centre (DMCC).
A Letter of Intent (LOI) has been exchanged between PNG and DMCC for trade in commodities, including in agriculture and mineral products.
Commissioner General for Expo2020 and Papua New Guinea's Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union, HE Joshua Kalinoe said with K3m investment by the Government in the PNG Pavilion programme in Dubai, the country is to immediately bring in millions of Kina and in the medium-to-long term billions of Kina from the trade and investment connections that are being made.
" We have recently announced a carbon trade partnership between a PNG timber concession permit company and an international environment conservation company that will result in sustainable millions of revenue flow annually for both the Government and the landowners for many years to come.
"We expect to soon announce major partnerships in commodity trade, including in mineral products", Ambassador Kalinoe said.
He said the Pavilion Operations will come to an end on 31 March with the closure of Expo2020 and the Minister for Foreign Affairs & International Trade, Hon Soroi Eoe, is expected to officiate at the closing ceremony.
The Minister will also address the Pavilion's last business forum under the Expo2020 programme on 29 March. The forum will be organised in partnership with a Dubai-based investment company, IBMC, and is aimed at bringing the PNG-UAE businesses and Governments together.
"I am hoping that one or two important partnership arrangements will be announced, at this final business forum," Ambassador Kalinoe said.
Article courtesy of PNG Expo
Photo: CEFI and key stakeholders pose for a group photo after the meeting
The Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) is partnering with key stakeholders and government agencies to drive the plan for Green Finance in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
On February 23 the Inclusive Green Finance Policy (IGFP) Project Technical Working Group (TWG) held its first meeting in Port Moresby to discuss project methodologies, risks, partnership opportunities and offer advice that will facilitate overall delivery of the project.
The objective of the meeting is for its members to understand the context, goals and work plan of the IGFP project, review the draft green taxonomy and review the proposed activities for 2022-2024.
TWG members comprise of government ministries, departments, financial institutions, community representatives and private sector entities.
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) serves as the Secretariat for the project with support from Agriculture and Finance Consultants (AFC).
Committee Chair and Assistant Deputy Governor, Financial Systems Stability Group (FSSG), Bank of PNG George Awap, in his welcome remarks, told the committee to embrace the concept of green finance and have regular consultations with all stakeholders to complete the process in the next few months.
In September 2020, CEFI requested the GGGI to support in developing an inclusive Green Finance Policy for PNG’s financial sector.
The policy aims to increase and facilitate flow of national and international funds and investments in a systematic manner towards businesses, projects and initiatives that would further the PNG government’s goals in, growth or green and sustainable industries, financial inclusion and climate change adaption and mitigation.
CEFI Executive Director Saliya Ranasinghe when addressing the TWG stressed on the importance of green finance policy and how Papua New Guinea can tap into green finance with the assistance of financial institutions.
“Green finance has been a subject for a long period of time and there has been quite a lot of international commitments for green finance, and there is a need to develop a green finance policy (for PNG).
“This will also add credibility to the country to attract funds. When the financial institutions are regulated by the Bank of PNG, having adopted this green finance policy, will definitely attract more funds in the future for PNG,” added Mr Ranasinghe.
GGGI Deputy Country Representative Peniamina Leavai when sharing the same sentiments, added that the green finance policy is a new ground and that the world is watching PNG and how the country will venture into this new grounds of green finance.
“The green bond market could be worth 2.3 trillion dollars by 2023, it is regarded as meeting the needs of the environment and at the same time our economic growth simultaneously. The question in PNG is how we can make this work for our people,” Mr Leavai added.
A key feature of the policy is an inclusive and green taxonomy which helps to identify essential technologies or activities that would contribute to the achievement of Papua New Guinean’s environment and social goals.
Article courtesy of The Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion
The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission has begun the process of rescinding its recent authorization determination for the Link PNG and PNG Air codeshare agreement.
The authorization was given with specific requirements for Link PNG and PNG Air to meet before it becomes operational, according to ICCC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer Paulus Ain.
“One of the conditions was that the parties were required to submit the revised and signed code-share agreement(s) to the ICCC within three months from the date of the release of this Determination,” he said.
The judgment of the ICCC was made public on October 29, 2021, and the three-month term ended on January 29, 2022.
Since the ICCC's decision was transmitted to Link PNG, the ICCC certifies that Link PNG has taken no further measures with PNG Air on the planned codeshare agreement to comply with the authorization criteria.
"If the Commission is satisfied that – a condition upon which the authorisation was granted has not been complied with at any time after the Commission has granted an authorisation under Section 70, the Commission may revoke or amend the authorisation or revoke the authorisation and grant a further authorisation in substitution for it," he explains.
“The ICCC now invites Link PNG and PNG Air to put forward their objections with reasons.
“All other relevant stakeholders and the public are also invited to provide any comments on the revocation.”
Reference: Post-Courier (3 March 2022). “ICCC Plans To Revoke PNG Air, Link PNG Deal
Tokua Airport in East New Britain has received a K9.2 million grant from the Japanese government (ENB).
Soroi Eoe, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, praised Japanese Ambassador Nobuyuki Watanabe for his aid in Port Moresby.
A K15.6 million grant from the Japanese government was also offered for development on the Rouna 3 hydropower facility, which feeds Port Moresby.
The money, according to Watanabe, would be used to provide heavy equipment and plant to the National Airports Corporation in Tokua and the East New Britain Department of Works for road repair near Tokua.
The equipment will be delivered to NAC at Tokua Airport and the provincial works division and will include a tractor, ride-on mowers, push lawn mowers, brush cutters, a backhoe, and a line forming machines, among other things.
According to Eoe, the government's Vision 2050 and Medium-Term Development Plan 3 aimed to turn ENB into a tourism centre while also encouraging growth in the agricultural and fisheries sectors to diversify the economy and provide new income sources.
“This equipment will contribute towards the maintenance and safe operations of the Tokua airport, which is a critical infrastructure forming part of this transformation,” he said.
Reference: The National (1 March 2022). “K9.2mil grant to boost airport work”.
Photo: The PNG Cultural group preparing for their performance at the Al Wasl Dome's stage of nations
Papua New Guinea celebrated its national day at the world expo with cultural performances and the raising of the flag at the Al Wasl dome’s stage of nations.
Deputy Prime Minister Honorable Sam Basil, MP officiated at the event alongside His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Hon. Basil echoed the country’s key message in the Dubai Expo which is to Live in Balance with Nature through sustainable development options by protecting the environment, including the rainforest.
He said that apart from the cultural richness, the Island of New Guinea hosts the third largest rain-forest in the world and most of this, including the biodiversity is in Papua New Guinea.
“The rainforest not only contribute to the healthy lungs of the World but also to the global agenda on climate change. It needs to be protected and my country would need the support of the international community, including like minded bilateral partners, to assist in conserving this international asset through long term partnerships,” he said.
He said it was in this spirit that Papua New Guinea has taken the lead in staging two Roundtable discussions on identifying sustainable development options and to live in balance with nature where partnerships are being developed.
Hon. Basil highlighted that the Papua New Guinea Pavilion has been sharing this richness with the World in the past months during the Expo and it is encouraging to learn that important connections have been made between stakeholders in the UAE, the region and parts of the world for long term trade and investment partnerships, including one with Dubai’s leading State-owned Enterprise.
In acknowledging the active participation of Papua New Guinea in the Expo led thematic weeks, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, said that Papua New Guinea’s participation highlights its economic potential, the rich culture and the diversity of its tribes, as well as its achievements in the field of sustainable development.
He said that given that Papua New Guinea has been a regional champion in promoting environmental preservation and tackling climate change, the UAE looks forward to expanding on its collaborative efforts with Papua New Guinea in these fields and aims to further solidify thriving relationship as both countries explore new areas for future cooperation.”
Article courtesy of PNG Expo 2020
Photo: The PNG Cultural group after their performance at the Earth Stage at the Dubai World Expo.
The Papua New Guinea traditional costumes and dances supported by PNG International reggae sensation Anslom Nakikus brought out the PNG colours and vibes at the Earth Stage in the Dubai world expo on Monday night.
The event kick started the PNG week organized by the PNG Pavilion at the Dubai Expo as lead up programs to the PNG National Day which will be held on February 28th 2022.
The traditional performances are by the University of Papua New Guinea Creative Arts students who will be delivering contemporary dances in traditional outfit to present PNG culture to an international audience.
The Arab and Middle East Region has not experienced PNG culture in such a setting and the choreographing of the performances had to give considerations to the practice in the region and at the same time help the international audience to understand what the performances are about. The highlight of the event was the parading of the different traditional dances from the provinces of PNG.
To begin the show, Music sensation Anslom Nakikus enticed the crowd with his reggae songs and a few other common reggae tunes. This lured the crowd into what became a packed stage.
The energy and atmosphere was great and the crowd enjoyed the performances. It was great to see that PNG was able to give people a smile and create fun for the visitors at the world expo.
The performance started the PNG cultural week which continued the next day at the same place. Other venues which both the band and cultural group will be performing at include the Morocco pavilion on 23rd February, 24th February in the Angolia Pavilion and 25th in the Australian Pavilion. The cultural group will also do a performance on the PNG National Day.
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