AGP Executive Report

Cocoa & Agriculture: East Sepik cocoa farmers began receiving Ferti-Bio organic fertilizer after Cocoa Board training, with 320 five-kilogram bags distributed in Hawain to boost soil nutrients and yields. Security & Campuses: Deputy PM John Rosso moved to tighten safety at Unitech after an alleged armed break-in at a girls’ dorm, ordering more patrols, lighting upgrades, CCTV and retraining. Mining & Infrastructure: Misima Minerals signed an MoA with Milne Bay to lease and operate Misima Aerodrome, targeting runway and safety upgrades before end-2026 to restart scheduled flights. Tourism Boost: PNG won Best Booth at Manila’s Travel Madness Expo, with Air Niugini and PNGTPA highlighting diving, trekking, festivals and coffee. Maritime Safety: Morobe police warned small craft operators after a deadly Quambu Point capsizing, urging strict compliance with NMSA weather advisories and threatening police action for breaches. Digital Economy: Western Pacific University students swept PNG’s National Digital ID Hackathon, building job-matching and offline birth-registration tools using SevisPass. SME Funding Probe: Commerce Minister Wake Goi suspended most SME funding transactions amid allegations of about K200 million in misuse, as opposition calls for an independent investigation. Diplomacy & China-Taiwan: PNG’s closure of Taiwan’s representative office drew renewed focus on China’s growing influence in the Pacific.**

Hydrographic Survey: HMAS Leeuwin has started a month-long regional sea-floor survey mission supporting Papua New Guinea’s nautical chart production, aiming to improve navigation safety and mentor PNG Defence Force personnel. Real Estate & SEZ Investment: Prime Minister James Marape broke ground on the apartment phase of the K2 billion BAOSEN Chinatown project in Port Moresby, positioning it as a Special Economic Zone success story that turns dormant land into construction jobs. Digital Jobs Platform: Western Pacific University students swept top honours at PNG’s National Digital ID Hackathon, building WokKonek on SevisPass/SevisPay to verify employers and jobseekers and support safer, more accountable work matching. Mining Logistics: Misima Minerals has signed to operate the Misima aerodrome, with upgrades targeted before end-2026 to restart commercial flights and boost community mobility and services. Energy & Power Finance: Commentary highlights PNG Power Limited’s persistent losses from selling electricity below cost, pointing to structural issues beyond exchange-rate pressure from US-dollar PPAs. SME Funding Probe: Commerce Minister Wake Goi has suspended most SME funding transactions over alleged K200 million in wrongdoing, while opposition leader James Nomane calls for a fully independent investigation. Labour Skills: A regional labour law and dispute resolution training programme brought together unions from Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Papua New Guinea to strengthen collective bargaining and arbitration skills. Food Security Push: PNG is urged to expand local food production to cut import dependence, stabilise prices, and improve health and rural incomes. Offshore FSO Work: ABL has been appointed for marine warranty survey services for PNG’s first offshore floating storage and offloading facility, supporting installation and commissioning across PNG and overseas yards. Mining Reform: PNG CORE Resources Week 2026 outlined regulatory, legislative and digital reforms to attract long-term mining investment while improving community outcomes.

Aviation Safety: PNG has been ranked the safest aviation country in the South Pacific outside Australia, with an ICAO-linked effective implementation score of 80%, putting it ahead of New Zealand (70%) and Canada (65%). Police Infrastructure: The Royal PNG Constabulary opened new staff housing at Bomana NCOE, a K2.3m project setting a modern housing standard as part of the Special Police Assistance Program. Digital Jobs & Identity: Western Pacific University students won major prizes at PNG’s National Digital ID Hackathon, building tools that use SevisPass/SevisPay to connect jobseekers and employers and improve birth registration access. SME Funding Probe: Commerce Minister Wake Goi suspended most SME funding transactions over alleged K200m issues, while Opposition Leader James Nomane called for a full independent investigation. Mining Investment Push: PNG CORE Resources Week unveiled regulatory, legislative and digital reforms to attract long-term mining investment and improve community outcomes. Energy & LNG Trade Risk: Taiwan is reviewing LNG purchases after PNG ordered the closure of Taipei’s economic office, with LNG a major export revenue stream for PNG. Marine Engineering for FSO: ABL was appointed to provide marine warranty survey services for PNG’s first offshore FSO facility, supporting installation and commissioning through 2028. Regional Diplomacy: China praised PNG’s closure of the Taipei office as a one-China principle “trend,” while Chinese FM Wang Yi urged ASEAN to resist external interference.

Labour & Skills: Solomon Islands trade union reps joined a four-day labour law and dispute resolution training in Mendana Kitano, with participants from PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa working through grievances, collective bargaining, mediation and mock unfair dismissal hearings. Digital Jobs & IDs: Western Pacific University students swept PNG’s National Digital ID Hackathon at the Digital Transformation Summit, building WokKonek (job matching using SevisPass/SevisPay) and SevisBirth (offline birth registration), winning top and technical awards. Mining & Aviation: Misima Minerals signed an MoA to operate Misima aerodrome, aiming to upgrade runway safety features and restart commercial flights before end-2026. Energy & Marine Works: ABL was appointed to deliver marine warranty survey services for Oil Search (PNG)’s first offshore FSO installation, supporting supply, installation and commissioning steps through 2028. Power Sector Stress: Commentary highlights PNG Power Limited’s persistent losses from selling electricity below cost, pointing to structural issues beyond exchange-rate-linked PPAs. SME Funding Probe: Commerce Minister Wake Goi suspended most SME funding transactions amid allegations of about K200 million in SME funding irregularities, as opposition calls for an independent investigation. Food & Agriculture: PNG urged to boost local food production to cut import dependence, stabilise prices and improve food security. Mining Investment Push: PNG unveiled regulatory, legislative and digital reforms to attract long-term mining investment and improve community outcomes.

Labour & Skills: A four-day labour law training in Mendana Kitano brought together trade union reps from Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Papua New Guinea, covering grievances, collective bargaining, mediation/conciliation and mock unfair dismissal hearings—aimed at modernising labour dispute handling across the region. Critical Minerals Research: A UN University-linked expert on critical minerals and inclusive energy transitions, Saleem Ali, received a Humboldt Research Award to continue work on critical mineral supply chains. Digital Jobs & IDs: Western Pacific University students swept PNG’s National Digital ID Hackathon at the Digital Transformation Summit, building WokKonek (job matching using SevisPass/SevisPay) and SevisBirth (offline birth registration). Mining & Aviation: Misima Minerals will operate the Misima aerodrome after signing an MoA with Milne Bay, targeting upgrades and recommissioning before end-2026 to restart commercial flights. Energy & LNG Trade: Taiwan is reviewing PNG LNG purchases after Port Moresby ordered the closure of Taipei’s representative office, raising stakes for PNG’s LNG export market. SME Funding Probe: Commerce Minister Wake Goi suspended most SME funding transactions amid allegations of about K200 million in SME funding corruption, with calls for an independent investigation. Power Sector Stress: PNG Power Limited’s financial troubles remain rooted in structural losses on electricity sales, with tariff freezes, weak collection and high losses cited as ongoing drivers. Oil & Gas Updates: Santos narrowed 2026 production guidance to 99–105 MMboe as Barossa and Pikka ramp up, with higher realised prices supporting cash flow. Construction/Engineering Supply Chain: ABL was appointed for marine warranty survey services for PNG’s first offshore FSO installation, supporting pipe and mooring operations across PNG and overseas yards. Agriculture & Food Security: PNG is urged to boost local food production to cut import dependence, stabilise prices and strengthen rural incomes.

Critical Minerals Research: UN University’s Saleem Ali wins a Humboldt Research Award to keep working on critical minerals and inclusive energy transitions. Digital Economy & Jobs: Western Pacific University students sweep PNG’s National Digital ID Hackathon, building WokKonek (jobs matching via SevisPass/SevisPay) and SevisBirth (offline birth registration). Mining & Aviation Access: Misima Minerals signs to operate Misima aerodrome, aiming to restore commercial flights after runway and safety upgrades before end-2026. Energy & Infrastructure: ABL secures marine warranty survey work for PNG’s first offshore FSO installation tied to the Kutubu Pipeline System, supporting commissioning through 2028. SME Funding Probe: Commerce Minister Wake Goi suspends most SME funding transactions over alleged K200m issues; Opposition Leader James Nomane backs an independent investigation. Mining Investment Push: PNG CORE Resources Week highlights new regulatory, legislative and digital reforms to attract long-term mining investment with stronger community returns. Food & Agriculture: PNG urged to boost local food production to cut import dependence, stabilise prices and improve food security. Connectivity Reality Check: Pacific digital access is still blocked by power; Starlink is being paired with solar to keep schools and health services online. PNG–Solomons Economic Ties: Marape and Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale agree to deepen cooperation in mining, fisheries, trade and investment, with talks continuing in August. Air Links: Air Niugini restores direct Port Moresby–Tokyo Narita flights to lift tourism and trade.

Digital Jobs & Identity: Western Pacific University students swept PNG’s National Digital ID Hackathon, winning for WokKonek (SevisPass-linked job matching) and SevisBirth (offline birth registration), showing how SevisPass/SevisPay could formalise parts of PNG’s informal labour market. Energy Security & Policy: A new push for a domestic market obligation highlights PNG’s “unsustainable cycle” of exporting crude then importing refined fuel, worsening foreign exchange strain and shortages—while the Napa Napa Refinery sits idle. SME Funding Integrity: Commerce Minister Wake Goi suspended most SME funding transactions amid allegations of about K200m in misuse, with Opposition Leader James Nomane calling for a fully independent investigation. Offshore Oil & Marine Services: ABL secured marine warranty survey work for PNG’s first offshore FSO at the Kumul Marine Terminal under Oil Search (PNG)/Santos’s PNG Oilfields Project, with installation and commissioning support stretching to 2028. Mining Investment Rules: PNG unveiled regulatory, legislative and digital reforms to attract long-term mining investment and improve community outcomes, as Mining Minister Solen Loifa framed “Resources Beyond 50.” Trade & Diplomacy Shock: PNG ordered closure of Taiwan’s representative office, with Taiwan reviewing LNG purchases that supply about one-third of PNG LNG exports. Connectivity Reality Check: Pacific digital access is increasingly limited by power, not satellite—Lightspeed pairs Starlink with portable solar to keep schools and health services online. Agriculture & Food Security: PNG urged stronger local food production to cut import dependence, stabilise prices, and improve health and rural incomes.

FSO & Marine Services: ABL has been appointed by Oil Search (PNG) to deliver marine warranty survey services for PNG’s first offshore floating storage and offloading (FSO) facility at the Kumul Marine Terminal, supporting offshore and international installation, pre-commissioning and commissioning. Mining Investment Push: PNG has unveiled regulatory, legislative and digital reforms to attract long-term mining investment and improve community outcomes, with mineral exports hitting K32bn in 2025. Power Sector Reality Check: PNG Power Limited’s financial troubles remain rooted in structural losses—tariff freezes, weak revenue collection, theft, high technical losses and debt—beyond exchange-rate pressure from US-dollar power purchase agreements. Air Connectivity for Industry: Misima Minerals has signed an MoA with Milne Bay to operate the Misima aerodrome, aiming for upgrades to restore commercial flights before end-2026. Digital Economy & Cybersecurity: DTS26 in Port Moresby is driving AI-led growth plans, while experts warn PNG must close the cybersecurity gap as ransomware and phishing rise. Diplomacy With Trade Stakes: PNG ordered the closure of Taiwan’s representative office, with Taiwan reviewing LNG purchases that make up a major share of PNG LNG exports. Youth & Community Systems: East Sepik is rolling out a province-wide youth registration drive using the National Youth Engagement Strategy framework.

Mining & Petroleum Investment: PNG says it’s opening the door to long-term mining investment with a package of regulatory, legislative and digital reforms, as Mineral exports hit a record K32bn in 2025 and royalties/benefits remain central to the pitch. Oil & Gas Finance: Santos’ 2Q26 update points to ramping production at Barossa (97% of planned rates) and Pikka phase 1, with higher LNG pricing and output expected to lift free cash flow in 2H26. FSO & Offshore Services: ABL wins work tied to PNG’s first offshore floating storage and offloading facility for the Kutubu pipeline system, supporting marine warranty survey and installation services. Digital Economy & Cybersecurity: DTS26 in Port Moresby pushes AI-driven growth and a “digital public ecosystem,” while experts warn PNG must close the cybersecurity gap as ransomware and phishing rise. Digital Safety in Practice: PNGprepares for AI misuse laws as scammers exploit deepfakes and fake giveaways, with journalists and students also getting UK-backed media resilience training. Regional Connectivity & Trade: Air Niugini restores direct Port Moresby–Tokyo (Narita) flights to boost tourism and investment links. Local Food Security: Agriculture leaders urge PNG to produce more of its own food to cut import pressure, protect health, and strengthen rural incomes. Business & Jobs: NDB support helps a Milne Bay entrepreneur expand prawn harvesting after financial education and SME lending. Sports & Youth Pathways: Fiji beats the Solomon Islands on penalties to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup and set up an OFC U-16 final against PNG or New Zealand.

Food Security Push: PNG’s Agriculture and Livestock Department is urging a shift toward producing local food to cut reliance on imports, stabilise prices, protect health, and support rural incomes and cultural diets. Energy & LNG Economics: Santos reported higher Q2 revenue driven by rising LNG and crude/condensate prices, while also trimming annual production volume guidance—signals to watch for PNG LNG-linked cashflows. Offshore Infrastructure Contract: ABL won an FSO installation-related services deal with Oil Search (PNG) for the country’s first offshore floating facility at the Kumul Marine Terminal, supporting Kutubu pipeline storage/offloading. Mining Benefits Focus: Ok Tedi hosted Morobe and Madang leaders to study how landowner companies and local suppliers can capture more value from mining projects. Digital Growth & Cyber Readiness: PNG’s DTS26 and Pacific Cyber Week spotlighted AI-driven digital investment, while experts warned cybersecurity must catch up to transformation to prevent ransomware and phishing harms. ICT Regulation Milestone: NICTA launched an integrated regulatory database and outlined progress toward 5G rollout. Roads Workforce: DoWH, with PNG-Australia support, unveiled a five-year training plan and graduate program to grow the road engineering pipeline. Natural Resources Governance: CIMC’s Natural Resources Sectoral Committee met to tighten coordination across forestry, fisheries, land administration, biodiversity and climate priorities. Local Business Finance: NDB-backed training helped a Milne Bay entrepreneur expand a prawn harvesting business—an SME growth model worth tracking. AI Scams Warning: PNGprepares AI misuse laws as fake social media giveaways and deepfake impersonation cases highlight urgent public awareness needs. Taiwan Office Closure: PNG moved to close Taiwan’s Chinese Taipei Economic Office, prompting a strong protest from Taiwan and adding geopolitical risk for business and services. Sports & Community: PNG’s football stadium hosted regional youth action, while Mountain Dew’s Wan Squad competition set for Aug 16.

Digital Transformation & Cybersecurity: PNG’s Digital Transformation Summit 2026 and Pacific Cyber Week kicked off in Port Moresby, with leaders pushing trusted digital public infrastructure, cyber resilience and online safety. A cyber expert also warned that cybersecurity is lagging behind rapid digital growth, leaving PNG exposed to ransomware and phishing. AI Scams & New Rules: A PNG media personality says AI-manipulated images are being used in Facebook scams, as the country prepares laws to criminalise deepfakes, voice cloning and digital impersonation—experts stress community awareness must match legislation. SME Finance: Milne Bay entrepreneur Daniel Tonny’s prawn business is expanding after an NDB financial education programme helped him access support and grow operations. Infrastructure & Skills: DoWH launched a five-year road engineering workforce plan (2025–2029) with a graduate programme from 2027 to address skills gaps. Aviation & Trade Links: Air Niugini restored direct Port Moresby–Tokyo Narita flights, now twice weekly, boosting tourism and investment ties. Extractives & Growth: PM Marape said PNG is entering a new phase of resource development focused on stronger national returns, while St Barbara reported an 8% rise in gold output from New Simberi. Maritime Cooperation: Australia will deploy HMAS Leeuwin to PNG for hydrographic surveying, aiming to improve navigation safety and maritime cooperation. Sports: Fiji booked the OFC U-17 World Cup spot after beating the Solomon Islands on penalties, setting up a final against PNG or New Zealand.

Business Advantage PNG Investment Conference: With less than three weeks to go (10–11 Aug) in Brisbane, organisers say the timing is pivotal as PNG pushes ahead on major projects like the TotalEnergies-led Papua LNG push toward a key final investment decision. Macroeconomic backdrop: The World Bank estimates PNG grew 5.6% in 2025, while fuel shocks and “unreliable utilities” remain headwinds for firms. Geopolitics and trade: PNG abruptly announced it will close Taiwan’s Chinese Taipei Economic Office in Port Moresby, citing “One China” alignment—prompting a sharp protest from Taiwan. Digital transformation: NICTA launched an integrated regulatory database and flagged progress toward 5G rollout at the Digital Transformation Summit and Pacific Cyber Week in Port Moresby. Aviation and connectivity: Air Niugini restored direct Port Moresby–Tokyo (Narita) service twice weekly, boosting tourism and trade links. Energy and mining momentum: Marape says PNG is entering a new era of resource development with stronger national returns; St Barbara reported improved New Simberi gold production, and Hoskins Airport upgrade hit 57% completion. Security and capacity building: Australia’s HMAS Leeuwin will run a five-week hydrographic survey mission with PNGDF to improve navigation safety. AI scams warning: PNG prepares AI misuse laws as scammers use AI-manipulated images to impersonate public figures and target victims.

Resource Policy & Returns: PM James Marape says PNG is entering a new phase of resource development, pushing for stronger national returns while keeping investor confidence. Natural Resources Coordination: CIMC’s Natural Resources Sectoral Committee met in Port Moresby to tighten coordination across forestry, fisheries, land administration, biodiversity and climate action. Modular Construction for Hotels: CSCEC says it’s seeing “explosive growth” in modular demand and recently shipped hundreds of modules to MRDC’s Heritage Hotels projects in PNG. Digital Regulation & 5G Prep: NICTA launched an integrated regulatory database and flagged progress toward 5G rollout at the Digital Transformation Summit. Road Engineering Workforce: Works and Highways rolled out a five-year training plan and graduate program to build PNG’s future road engineers. Aviation Connectivity: Air Niugini restored direct Port Moresby–Tokyo service (twice weekly) and Marape welcomed the milestone for trade and tourism. Banking Leadership: TISA Bank appointed Luke Kaul as substantive CEO as it moves into “disciplined growth.” Cyber & Elections: PNG is drafting AI misuse laws as concerns rise about deepfakes and voter deception ahead of next year’s election. Maritime Safety & Capability: Australia’s HMAS Leeuwin will run a five-week hydrographic survey mission with PNGDF to improve navigation safety. Mining Jobs: Newmont Lihir opened applications across engineering, operations, supply chain, environmental and social performance roles. Health & Climate Stress: A Central province sub-health centre faces water shortages after El Niño dried up rain-fed supplies, urging patients to bring drinking water.

Roads & Skills: PNG’s Department of Works and Highways is rolling out a 2025–2029 Five-Year Training Plan with a Graduate Development Program (up to 20 graduate engineers per cohort from 2027), plus a SOP manual to build a stronger road engineering pipeline with Australian support. Digital Economy & Cybersecurity: PNG hosted the Digital Transformation Summit and Pacific Cyber Week in Port Moresby, with leaders pushing a secure, inclusive, Pacific-led digital future covering AI, cybercrime, online safety and digital public infrastructure. Aviation & Trade Links: Prime Minister Marape welcomed the restoration of Air Niugini’s direct Port Moresby–Tokyo Narita service (now twice weekly), boosting tourism, investment and people-to-people ties. Mining Output: St Barbara reported an 8% rise in Q4 gold production from the New Simberi JV, with improved processing and sales. Infrastructure Delivery: Hoskins Airport upgrade is at 57% completion; runway limits are in place until Stage Eight ends, with aircraft operations affected. Banking Leadership: TISA Bank appointed Luke Kaul as substantive CEO, aiming for disciplined growth and stronger governance. Maritime Safety: Australia’s HMAS Leeuwin is deploying to PNG for five weeks of hydrographic surveying with PNGDF to improve navigation safety and maritime cooperation. AI Misuse & Elections: PNG is drafting cyber laws to tackle deepfakes and digital impersonation as election-year disinformation risks rise. Workforce & Jobs: Newmont Lihir opened hiring across engineering, operations, supply chain, environmental and social performance roles for PNG nationals.

Aviation & Trade Links: Air Niugini has restarted its Port Moresby–Tokyo (Narita) service, with the first non-stop flight on 18 July and a twice-weekly schedule (Wednesdays and Saturdays), aiming to boost travel, tourism, investment and education ties. Mining & Production: St Barbara says New Simberi gold output rose 8% in the June quarter, beating guidance, as processing improved and mined grade increased. Infrastructure & Safety: Hoskins Airport upgrade is at 57% completion; runway restrictions are still in place, limiting aircraft types until Stage Eight lifts the usable runway length later this year. Maritime Capability: Australia’s HMAS Leeuwin will run a five-week hydrographic survey mission in PNG waters with PNG Defence Force partners, focusing on navigation safety and local capability building. Banking Leadership: TISA Bank appoints Luke Kaul as substantive CEO, positioning the locally anchored lender for “disciplined growth” and stronger governance. Jobs & Local Content: Newmont Lihir is advertising roles across engineering, operations, social performance, supply chain and environmental management, with an emphasis on PNG applicants. Digital Governance: PNG is drafting cyber laws to tackle AI misuse like deepfakes and voice cloning, with concerns rising ahead of elections. Diplomacy & Energy: PNG’s closure of Taiwan’s representative office is triggering Taiwan reassessment of economic ties, including LNG purchase reviews, after PNG ordered the office shut. Construction Workforce: A 25-year construction professional in quantity surveying and contracts administration shares career pathways and the realities of managing multiple projects. Community Reconciliation: Wantoat in Morobe is moving from sorcery-linked violence toward peace after a ceremony where congregations surrendered weapons and renounced alleged criminal activity.

Immigration & Coffee Industry: William Bando says he respects PM James Marape’s reshuffle move appointing him Minister for Immigration, while thanking the coffee sector after record output of 1.3 million bags. Finance for Resources: TISA Group CEO Michael Koisen urges PNG’s financial sector to pull K15 billion from the informal economy into formal banking to help turn the resource and energy boom into long-term, inclusive growth. Taiwan–PNG Shock to LNG: PNG ordered the immediate closure of Taiwan’s Port Moresby economic office, prompting Taiwan to reassess ties and review PNG LNG purchases that supply about one-third of PNG’s LNG exports. Petroleum Investment Push: Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina says Papua LNG FID is expected before end-2026 as reforms advance and projects progress. Digital Transformation: DICT marked the handover to incoming ICT Minister Robert Naguri, while Digicel PNG backs DTS26 to expand connectivity and digital inclusion. Mining Revenue & Rules: Mineral exports hit a record K32b in 2025, with reforms proposed to modernise mining tenements and improve investor confidence. Air Connectivity: Air Niugini confirms Port Moresby–Auckland flights will resume three times weekly from November after nearly 30 years. Youth & Jobs Agenda: PM Marape’s youth strategy aims to create one million jobs and livelihood pathways by 2029 across agriculture, tourism, SMEs, digital monetisation and more.