On behalf of our Executive Committee, I would like to wish you all a Happy and Prosperous 2015!

Last year ended with a delegation of Executives from APNGBC PNG and APNGBC Australia attending a Business

Dialogue with Ministers at the Australia Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum. This took place in Port Moresby on

15 December 2014. A copy of the Joint Communique issued by Ministers can be found on our website. A summary

of the discussions at the Business Dialogue can be found on Page 2 of this Newsletter.

Our Annual Meet & Greet function is on Tuesday 10th February 2015 at Poolside Grand Papua Hotel 6pm- 9pm. This year the event is sponsored by Cardno and Ashurst and is a great opportunity to network with businesses

who trade between Australia and PNG and to encourage new membership. Please bring along a business col-league who may be interested in joining our organization. To RSVP please contact Helena at the Secretariat on

321 0966 or email apngbc@global.net.pg.

A busy year ahead is envisaged and this week we are meeting with executives of APNGBC Australia and BCPNG to

formalize a work program for 2015. I welcome any suggestions you may have to be included in the program.

Early Bird registrations are underway for the 31st Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum and Trade Expo on

17-19 May 2015 at the Lae International Hotel Conference Centre. You can download a registration form on our website www.apngbc.org.pg or request one be emailed to you. Trade Booths are limited so to avoid disappoint-

ment I suggest you book one immediately. Pre-Forum tours and Sunday day trips will be popular so again to avoid

disappointment please register now.

Phil Franklin—President 2015

Mess age from the P res iden t

Events Calendar:

10 February 2015

Meet & Greet Function

Poolside, Grand Papua Hotel

6.00pm to 9.00pm

19 February 2015

PACER luncheon briefing—

Westpac Sydney at 12.00pm

17-19 May 2015

31st Australia PNG Business

Forum & Trade Expo in Lae

Theme “Bridging the Gap—

Meeting Expectations”

February, 2015 Volume 2- Issue 1

Manus Island Regional

Processing Centre

Economy &

Infrastructure

3

4

Media Summary

(January 2015)

Have

You

registered

for the

31st

Australia

PNG

Business

Forum

yet?

MEET & GREET INVITATION Tuesday 10th February 2015, 6pm-9pm

Poolside, Grand Papua Hotel

APNGBC Members and two of your invited guests who

may be interested in becoming a member, are invited to

attend our Annual Meet and Greet function. Drinks and finger food will be served.

RSVP: Helena Wilson Ph: 3210966,

Email: apngbc@global.net.pg

Page 2 Volume 2- Issue 1 Summary of Discussions at the Business Dialogue

15 December 2014—Australia PNG Ministerial Forum

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Julie Bishop MP, said the economic partnership underpins the whole relationship. She said Australian develop-ment assistance was focussed on sustainable economic growth and empowering women. Australian investment in Australia is double what it is in Indone-

sia. With PNG Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Rimbink Pato MP, she signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the development of a Papua New Guinea School of Government with first courses to commence in 2015. This would be a transformation project which would deliver Papua New Guinea a world class

public service. The Australian National University, the Australian Public Service Commission and a number of other Australian universities and private sec-

tor providers will have a key role in implementing this important new program. The first Australian students to study under the New Colombo Plan will ar-

rive in 2015.

BUSINESS AND OFFICIALS WORKING GROUP: There is room for strengthening this process by empowering officials to discuss new or emerging policy

issues brought forward by business. The recommendation of the last meeting of the Group in November was that the Bank of Papua New Guinea policy on fiscal measures and foreign exchange should be withdrawn to allow the market to operate. Minister Bishop said this had been raised with Governor Bakani

of the Bank of Papua New Guinea, who had said it was a temporary measure.

INVESTMENT PROMOTION AGREEMENT AND PATCRA: The two Treaties, signed more than 20 years ago, required review to ensure parties are observing

them and to recommend measures to modernise them if appropriate.

VISAS: Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Hon Scott Morrison MP said that 88% of visa applications lodged on line were approved within 7 days. He said there was a general problem that many applicants applied at the last minute and left insufficient time for processing. Business ac-

knowledged that there had been improvements, but more was needed to remove obstacles. It was noted that the withdrawal of the visa on arrival facility

was punitive against business. The introduction of the Restricted Employment Visa in 2015 would in part ameliorate one problem faced by business. Minis-ter Morrison said the working group on Papua New Guinea visas is due to report back in July 2015. Improved use of biometrics and other technologies

would provide the solution. Minister Bishop noted that the visa arrangements for New Zealand citizens entering Australia had taken 30 years to evolve. Minister Pato reported an increase in APEC Business Travel Card applications by Papua New Guinea citizens. Papua New Guinea is moving to imple-

ment online tourism visa applications.

DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE: Minister Bishop said there will be further cuts to Australia’s development assistance budget in coming years. Assistance to Papua New Guinea will continue to be a priority. There is no more important assistance program for Australia than that with Papua New Guinea. She said

she hoped Papua New Guinea development assistance will be quarantined from cuts. PNG Minister for National Planning, Hon Charles Abel MP, said it was

important to improve outcomes from the development assistance budget. Minister Bishop said Papua New Guinea would become increasingly responsible for service delivery in the country. Minister Abel said there needs to be new and innovative engagement with the private sector. Minister Bishop said the

Innovation Hub being established within the Australian development assistance program was an exciting development. It would bring together creative

thinkers from public, private and academic sectors with global experience to tackle seemingly intractable development issues from new perspectives.

Law and Order: The cost of business is seriously impacted by law and order issues. The Councils generally support the recent conclusions of the Austra-

lian Strategic Policy Institute report on policing in Papua New Guinea including a role for contracted police officers. There is an urgent need to up skill Papua New Guinea police (RPNGC) through contract police. Minister Bishop said the Australian Federal Police Commissioner has had a positive meeting with

the Papua New Guinea Police Minister and the Police Commissioner about capacity building for the RPNGC. She said the Bomana Police College would be a

part of the School of Government. Twinning arrangements between Australian and Papua New Guinea police are starting. Minister Abel said he took the

point about contract police. This would be considered within the Police Modernisation Project under way.

31ST AUSTRALIA PAPUA NEW GUINEA BUSINESS FORUM, LAE, 17 TO 19 MAY 2015: Ministers’ attention was drawn to the forthcoming Forum in Lae in May

2015, and the Councils encouraged attendance by Ministers and officials from both governments.

Page 3 Volume 2- Issue 1

vestment

Media Summary January 2015

Several number of Asylum seekers at the Manus Processing Centre went on a hunger strike refusing to return to their

compounds in protest over issues with running water. Tensions were high as most asylum seekers were approaching 18

months of detention. It was noted also that security personnel threatened asylum seekers that if they do not refrain from

any form of demonstration they will be deported from the country. Pressures and fears escalated at camp as news spread

that the Royal Papua New Guinea Police Constabulary could move in to end the protest. In contrast, Australian Immigra-

tion have stated that the transferees claims of refusal to food and fluid were incorrect, and that all is calm at the center and

only a number of transferees were engaged in a peace protest within the center.

The weeklong standoff by group of asylum seekers at the Manus Processing Centre came to an end, after security person-

nel entered Delta Compound at the center. The operation was directed by Chief Migration Officer who is the administra-

tor of the processing center. In a statement, Papua New Guinea Minister for Immigration and Foreign Affairs Rimbink

Pato noted that the Government was concerned about the protest which had escalated and therefore intervened to bring

back normalcy. He further explained that there were no serious injuries and that all transferees were evacuated safely.

Others were treated for dehydration, fatigue and minor injuries. Minister Pato praised the professionalism, restraint and

discipline of security personnel who brought the situation under control swiftly and with minimal force.

He further clarified that 40 to 50 asylum seekers detained in jail or in police station cells on Manus may be transferred to

Bomana prison outside Port Moresby. The asylum seekers were arrested after security personnel broke through barricades

erected at the entrance. Minister Pato signed the instruments for Bomana Jail, Manus Jail, Manus police lock-up and the

Manus detention center to be relocation centers for the temporary residence of asylum seekers whilst pending the deter-

mination of their refugee status under Papua New Guinea Law. In addition, Minister reaffirmed that all necessary prepa-

ration for asylum seekers to be integrated into PNG community are in place and intact.

Locally from an economic perspective, Australian High Commissioner Deborah Stokes and Manus Governor Charlie

Benjamin officiated at the opening of the new Manus Market earlier this month. Stokes reiterated that the market devel-

opment was part of Australia’s assistance package to Manus and that package was associated with the Regional Process-

ing Centre amounting to more than A$37 million (K51 million). Stokes added that providing economic empowerment

especially for women and girls is a high priority for the Australia Government hence Australia’s strong support in deliver-

ing that project.

Each month the APNGBC provides a summary of local media and issues that we consider relevant news to our members.

Manus Island Regional Processing Centre (RPC)

The Manus Island Regional Processing Centre (RPC) continues to feature heavily in this month’s summary. The highlight

was centred on a standoff by group of asylum seekers who protested over the delay in processing of their refugee status.

The stand-off drew opinions from various stakeholders both from Papua New Guinea and Australia. There were technical

issues concerning both timeframe and the legality of processing transferees from Manus Processing Centre.

The completion commissioned of phase one Lae Tidal Basin Project took place last year on December 17, 2014.

Page 4 Volume 2- Issue 1

Media Summary January 2015

Economy and Infrastructure

The Commissioning of the Completion phase one Tidal Basin Project in Lae took place last year on December 17, 2014.

As per development phase of the project, Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) is the implementing agency.

China Harbor Engineering Company who is the contractor has so far successfully carried out the work with other part-

ners in making the project happen.

The first phase upgrade boasts modern facilities including a tidal basin, a multipurpose berth, and terminal works includ-

ing buildings, storage areas, roads, drainage, water, electricity and sewerage services. Upon completion of all its develop-

ment phases the project will officially be handed over to PNG Ports Corporation Limited. The new facility is worth K700

million and will serve as the central port for big ships travelling to the country and the Asia/Pacific region. The project is

the largest ever taken by Asia Development Bank (ADB).

MEET & GREET INVITATION Tuesday 10th February 2015, 6pm-9pm

Poolside, Grand Papua Hotel

APNGBC Members and two of your

invited guests who may be inter-

ested in becoming a member, are

invited to attend our Annual Meet

and Greet function.

Drinks and finger food will be served.

RSVP: Helena Wilson Ph: 3210966,

Email: apngbc@global.net.pg

Page 5 Volume 2- Issue 1

INVITATION TO MEMBERS

You are invited to attend a luncheon briefing on PACER (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations) Plus by the Depart-ment of Foreign Affairs and Trade to be held at Westpac Banking Corporation, 275 Kent Street, Sydney, on Thursday 19 February

at noon.

A light lunch will be served. If you wish to attend please advise our colleague in Australia — Lillian Chapman at the Councils’

Secretariat in Australia (lillian.chapman@comcen.com.au) by close of business on Monday 16 February 2015. The Department of

Foreign Affairs and Trade seeks continuing industry/stakeholder views on PACER Plus as part of the negotiations it conducts

with the other countries. In addition, DFAT would welcome an opportunity to be updated by members on the market access op-

portunities, including in services, they would utilise or challenges they currently face for investing or operating in relevant Pa-

cific markets.

BACKGROUND:

PACER Plus is a Pacific regional economic relations agreement which has been under negotiation since 2009 between all 16

Pacific Islands Forum countries including Australia. The agreement aims to add impetus to the economic growth of Pacific is-

lands countries by improving their capacity to trade with and attract investment from each other including Australia and New

Zealand. More details on PACER Plus can be found at http://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/agreements/pacer/Pages/pacific-

agreement-on-closer-economic-relations-pacer-plus.aspx

Established in 1980 the Council is a non-profit association of Australia-based businesses with interests in Papua New Guinea. The management of the Council is vested under the constitution in an Executive Committee, headed by a President

and three Vice-Presidents, elected at an Annual General Meeting of members.

The Council’s goals are to advance the interest of Australia business in Papua New Guinea by:

1. increasing trade and investment between Australia and Papua New Guinea;

2. encouraging the further development and expansion of the Papua New Guinea economy;

3. representing Australian business interests to the Australian and Papua New Guinea governments;

4. providing a network of business people with shared interests in Papua New Guinea.

Australia Papua New

Guinea Business Council

Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council PNG

PO Box 1621, Port Moresby NCD

Level 2, IPA Haus, Lawes Road, Konedobu PNG

Phone: 321 0966/321 3057

Mobile: 7283 4313

Fax: 321 0566

Email: apngbc@global.net.pg

WH AT IS THE AUS TR ALI A P AP U A NE W G U INE A B US INE S S COUNC I L?

HO W D OE S THE C OUNC I L AC H IE VE I TS G O ALS ?

The Council advances Australian business interests in Papua New Guinea through:

the holding of trade, investment and information seminars on Papua New Guinea:

participation in regular bilateral Ministerial talks to discuss major policy issues of concern to Australian busi-

ness;

submissions to government on policy matters affecting Australian business interests in Papua New Guinea:

the receiving and sending of trade and investment delegations between Australia and Papua New Guinea:

dissemination to members of information on current economic, political and social developments in Papua New

Guinea:

providing access to a network of Australian businesses with long experience in Papua New Guinea with whom

members can seek and share information.

PNG PUBLIC

HOLIDAYS— 2015 New Year’s Day—Thu JAN 1

Good Friday—Fri APRIL 3

Easter Saturday—Sat APRIL 4

Easter Sunday—Sun APRIL 5

Easter Monday—Mon APRIL 6

Queen’s Birthday—Sat JUNE 13

National Remembrance Day –

Thurs JULY 23

National Repentance Day—Wed

AUG 26

Independence Day—Wed SEPT 16

Christmas Day—Fri DEC 25

Boxing Day—Sat DEC 26

Have you visited our website?

www.apngbc.org.pg

Your logo can be displayed here permanently

as well as on our website with a link to your

website – contact Helena Wilson at

apngbc@global.net.pg to find out more.