MY COUNTRY MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN On behalf of my spouse Rachael and my children, it gives me great pleasure to address the Nation as we celebrate 47 years of our coming of age as an Independent Nation. This occasion provides yet again, that opportunity for us to reflect on our development achievements and challenges over the past 46 years and re-chart a meaningful course for progress in the ensuing years and beyond. Before I proceed, let’s all give thanks to the Merciful and Almighty God for His continued presence and guidance upon us over the past 46 years. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, The formation of Government by PANGU Pati that I lead, following the recent National Elections was largely due to the policies and initiatives we introduced through the Loloata Agreement upon assumption of Office in May 2019. I speak with great comfort and confidence that our people have heard PANGU Pati and its coalition partners call for transparency, good governance, sound fiscal and economic management and for socio-economic development to be inclusive and leaving no one behind. Our people overwhelmingly returned PANGU Pati to power and this is evident in that most of our candidates scored 60 per cent of the actual total votes regardless of whether they came first, second or third in the preferences. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, This overwhelming support is indeed indicative of the trust and confidence the people have in the PANGU Pati, including its Coalition Partners and signifies stability in Government. This stability and support is an added bonus that gives us confidence in practically and meaningfully implementing, and more importantly realising our sectoral plan’s and initiatives derived from the 2019 Loloata Agreement in the next five years and beyond. Furthermore, stability and continuity in Government only strengthens PANGU Pati’s resolve and mantra to make Papua New Guinea the 'Richest Black Christian Nation on Earth' and leave no one behind in the development equation. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, We are not a new Government, we are a continuing government that is NOW BETTER PREPARED AND POSITIONED to effectively coordinate and deliver on its development priorities in the next five years. This Government is NOW more targeted and focused on critical areas that will spur future economic growth and bring much needed development to all of us particularly, the unreached in rural Papua New Guinea. Whilst our focus in years gone by was mainly on the non-renewable sector, which is depletable and only serves 10 percent of the economy, we are now giving equal attention to the renewable sector that serves 80 percent of our people who can be empowered and meaningfully engaged when we appropriately harness the agri industry. We must not just harvest our resources, as has been the case in the past 46 years, we must invest in adding value to them for domestic consumption and international trade. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, Therefore the Government in our wisdom has created new ministerial portfolios responsible for Oil Palm, Coffee and Livestock that will set us on a trajectory to intervene into the rural economies and engage the majority of our people to earn a household disposable income to improve their livelihoods in these sectors where they are already directly engaged. The rural masses are our biggest asset that can be easily employed in the agriculture sector once we present them with support and workable initiatives to toil their land. Agriculture, the 'Sleeping Giant', will be awakened. In fact, the Government has already embarked on initiatives such as price and freight subsidy and nursery support to sustainably harness this important sector and ensure it is growing the rural economy while contributing to Consolidated Revenue. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, These subsidy programmes will continue not just seasonally but free from political interference and manipulation. The renewable sector, including agriculture, is the major priority of my Government now and we will extend support to include other vital areas such as Fisheries, Forestry and Tourism sectors whose potential are yet to be fully realised. Government is also now paying full attention to industrialise our economy leading into our 50th Anniversary of independence and we invite existing and potential multilateral and bilateral donors to partner with us in value-adding and downstream processing of our vast natural resources for fair and equitable returns for our resource owners, state and developers. This will also generate much-needed revenue streams that will increase our foreign exchange and complement our national budget. An increase in foreign exchange in our coffers will greatly ease the backlog in orders and shortage to help sustain our economy and build our foreign reserves to respectable levels to accommodate import coverage and balance of payments. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, Industrialisation is a very bold undertaking by this Government, and it requires the concerted effort of all our people, business and investors and Government and Development Partners. We must dispel the common perception by naysayers that Papua New Guinea is incapable of embarking on major industrialisation projects. Why should we continue to listen to such critics and be misled for the next 46 years? WE CAN DO IT! In addition to that, our Industrialisation programme is targeted at making Papua New Guinea self-sustaining as a net exporting country to Asia and the global markets. This will support our initiatives for Import Substitution and Food Security and meeting our domestic market obligation for oil and gas in petro-chemical products and for coffee, cocoa and fresh organic primary produce, fishery and livestock for food security. Partnership through Foreign Direct Investment is highly encouraged and will assist in developing our value-adding and downstream processing facilities locally in our special economic zones to bring in much needed revenue streams to support the National Budget. Furthermore, we cannot just keep talking about concepts, we already have the appropriate policies and plans in place and what we need now is total and unequivocal commitment and hard work to practically realise and implement these concepts to achieve industrialisation and economic growth. We must empower our people, so that they are equal participants and are contributing to economic growth - this Government will ensure this is achieved. We are about creating economic opportunities and empowering our many citizens in rural settings. Their potential needs to be fully realised through our various government policies and plans – This Government’s strategy is to empower one million rural families to cultivate the land with agriculture price and freight subsidy which will not be seasonal and politically motivated but on a continuing basis. The simple arithmetic here is that Government supports one million rural families who grow their crops and sells them to Government annually and if they return a profit of K10, 000 per annum individually then that would easily work out at K10 Billion easy money pumped into the economy- so this ‘Sleeping Giant’ must be awakened now and not tomorrow. To ensure an effective agriculture sector Government will be urgently seeking passage in Parliament of the Agricultural Adjustment and Agriculture Investment Corporation Draft Bills. This will include the proposal to restructure and transition the Oil Palm Industry Corporation (OPIC) into an Authority to effectively deal with all aspects of the Oil Palm Sector such as investing into mills, research and development and market access. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, No one will do this for our people, we must do it for our children and for future generations to come. Let us ALL build Papua New Guinea together - public servants, private sector, business, low and high-income earners, farmers, fisherman and ordinary citizens throughout this great nation must play your part. This Government notes the abundance of our vast natural resources that need to be combusted. More emphasis in the next three years will be placed on harnessing the agriculture sector through introduction of innovative farming methods in cash crop production, livestock and poultry. With the endless markets abound, domestically and internationally particularly in neighbouring Asian countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, China, India and Korea, the Government now has strategic plans to enter these lucrative markets including niche, to export our vast organic produce and non-renewable resources. These will be realised through carrying out substantive market analysis and reducing technical trade barriers, by placement of highly-trained and qualified Trade Commissioners in Papua New Guinea Diplomatic Posts and Missions in the Asian Region and Globally to market our renewable and non-renewable resources. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, We must realise that unlike other countries, we have large expanses of grassland and arable land at the Markham and Ramu valleys and Sepik Plains. Equally important is the fact that we have an abundance of water resources for consumption and irrigation at Brown, Purari, Ramu, Sepik and Fly rivers that must now be fully utilised to support our development agenda unlike in past years. Additionally, the Government has recently embarked on a major adjustment and restructuring exercise of our systems and processes that is now more focused, predictable and conscious of our real development needs. That will set us on a trajectory to achieve economic independence and prosperity. Now is the time to anchor these vast and abundant renewable resources to be the combustion for manufacture and draw maximum profits outputs to sustain our development agenda, especially service delivery to all our people. Let me assure you that the PANGU-led Government has a good composition of young and vibrant leaders in Parliament now, who continue to show promise and maturity in their outlook on how Papua New Guinea should rise as an economically self-sustaining nation. Their conversations with me demonstrates that they hold the national interest, first and foremost. With the contribution of these leaders, we have embarked on current key policy and legislative reforms including Budget Repair and Maintenance Programme which focus on getting the economy back on track. This is a good omen and is indicative of our collective desire to make Papua New Guinea an economic powerhouse in the Pacific region. It is also indicative that my Government is politically stable in a secure environment that has zero tolerance to corruption. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, We must now enforce accountability and transparency in our systems and processes if we are to progress as a successful nation, now and into the future. Let me state that a secure and prosperous Papua New Guinea is good for the region and neighbouring countries as it provides certainty and predictability in the way we conduct our relations with our bilateral and multilateral development partners. Our economy cannot develop and progress if our service industries are not reliably functioning. To support our economy we have embarked upon major reforms of our State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) to improve their overall performance in terms of service delivery and revenue generation to complement the National Budget. These reforms are also intended to ensure profitability, improve services in the airline industry, water, electricity and telecommunications and ensure independence of the SOEs as well as create gender balance in appointment of the Board of Directors to encourage good governance. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, Review of the Mining Act 1992 has been completed and once endorsed by NEC and Parliament will ensure fair and equitable returns to our resource owners, the State and Developer. Other Amendments that have been passed include the Mineral Resource Authority Amendment Act and certain sections of the Mining Act 1992 to accommodate necessary situations. The long-awaited re-opening of the Porgera mine will happen during the tenure of this Government and Wafi–Golpu Project will commence construction phase immediately. For Ok Tedi, I am proud to say that it continues to pay dividends to the State as a result of prudent management and favorable weather conditions that allow shipment of ore. Other Mines in operation such as Ramu and Lihir will be reviewed because of increase in output and expiration of their Special Mining Leases in 2023. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, In the gas and oil sectors, P’nyang and Papua LNG projects have been successfully negotiated and are entering the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) stage. Other Projects such as Elk Antelope and Pasca are being reviewed and pending the satisfaction of the State’s project parameters, they will proceed as planned. Review of Oil and Gas Act 1998 is progressing well with necessary changes on benefit sharing arrangements. Other necessary amendments have been completed to accommodate situations MY FELLOW CITIZENS, In the forestry sector, I launched the Forest Strategic Plan, 2021-2030 last year, which is basically aimed at increasing tax on round log exports and eventually banning round log exports by 2025. This plan is timely and is in line with my announcement in 2021 to ban round logs to enable resource owners to venture into downstream processing of our round logs and encourage Plantation development. The Forestry Act is also under review which will give emphasis to the establishment of the State Marketing Agency and to exercise the State’s 25 per cent Purchase Option of timber which has been idle since the Act’s inception. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, The Fisheries Sector continues to be a major contributor to Consolidated Revenue, through payment of annual dividends. The National Fisheries Strategic Plan 2021-2030 is a model that I encourage to be replicated by other similar Authorities given its connectivity to the Provinces and Districts to make them self-sustaining through proper harvesting of marine resources. This augurs well for the Government's plans to develop and grow our rural economies. For Tourism, a review is currently underway to ensure that the potential of this sector is being achieved in order to draw positive economic outcomes. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, Climate change continues to adversely impact our people and across the Pacific Region, and we must look at innovative technology in climate change adaptation and mitigation. We must reclaim the land that we are losing to rising sea levels and which is causing displacement to our people. The Managalas Conservation area in the Oro Province, which is now up and running, serves as an opportunity to draw from and sustainably preserve and conserve our vast forest resources for real and practical developments for our future generations. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, Trade and investment are key ingredients to our growing economy as can be seen from revenue generated from PNG exports that totaled USD 9.34 billion in 2020 while Foreign Direct Investment for 2020 was at USD 0.94B, a 3.87 per cent increase from 2019.This is an exciting time to increase trade revenue and harness business and investment opportunities. The recently-created Trade and Investment Ministerial Portfolio will be more focused and take real practical carriage and coordination of our trade and investment priorities to grow the economy, bring in innovation and state-of-the-art technology and facilities, transfer of skills and knowledge and increase Foreign Direct Investment. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, My Government is focused on supporting and growing the Micro and Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Sector. This vital sector plays a key role in growing the economy and ensuring that our citizens are productive and self-reliant. As of 31st December 2021, BSP extended total loans of K121 million to SME customers under SME Credit Enhancement Scheme Loan. The increasing loan figures are indicative of the demand in the MSME and the Government will continue to roll out this programme. The Government has also recently approved the establishment of a Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC) to borrowers so that Banks and Financial Companies can lend money to borrowers, with limited credit scores. The CGC will provide credit guarantees to micro small and medium enterprises, where their loan applications lack adequate loan security. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, In 2019, National Parliament passed the Special Economic Zones Authority Act 2019 for the creation of Special Economic Zones to spur business, trade and investment including for mining, oil and gas, agriculture, tourism, forestry, and fisheries in these zones. The Special Economic Zones are now being piloted in Kikori, Manus and Kavieng. This will indeed spur economic growth in our Provinces and Districts. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, With regards to our Foreign Policy, this Government will be embarking on a review exercise to ensure it is strategic in its outlook and draws maximum benefits from our foreign relations through development assistance and Foreign Direct Investment that will complement and support our Development Agenda. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, The Government’s Connect PNG Programme is a major enabler to achieving the above development aspirations through development of high-quality economic infrastructure such as roads, bridges, airports, wharves, jetties and communication network to connect the rural population. All these development plans and initiatives will not be achieved without a safe and secure environment and this Government will therefore be addressing law-and-order head on. If you continue to commit crime and illegal activities, you are considered an enemy of the State and will be severely tried for your crimes under our laws. However, to rehabilitate you and make law breakers law-abiding citizens, this Government will provide second chances through prison industries and education programmes that my Government will fund. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, Papua New Guinea will finally have a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) structure in place in the coming months. This SWF structure will see seven percent of dividends from all Kumul companies, including the extractive sector, being funneled through following the policy approval by the State. Government has already approved for all Kumul companies, especially Kumul Mining Holdings Ltd, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd and Kumul Consolidated Holdings Ltd that at every declaration of dividend, seven percent is set aside to be funneled into a SWF structure. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, In terms of governance, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and Whistle Blowers Act will greatly address corruption and governance issues in the country. We are absolutely committed to ensure that the commissioners for ICAC are fully appointed, and that they can commence building a reputable organisation that can start prosecuting offenders. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, Government will provide further opportunities to children, youths and adults that have not progressed in education by enrolling them in Flexible Open and Distance Education (FODE) and Community Colleges for up-skilling their qualifications and migration into Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to be productive citizens and help alleviate the escalating law-and-order situation nation-wide. MY FELLOW CITIZENS, The Government, as I mentioned earlier, is now better positioned to see through its plans and initiatives, including the policy and legislative amendments through reforms, restructuring and readjusting of our Cabinet and Public Service. The future is promising and requires our collective resolve and commitment to make us a modernised society that is structured and ensures its people are positively impacted by the Government’s development plans. We must have reason to celebrate, we cannot just celebrate because of another anniversary. Until such time that our people in remote Lagai village in Menyamya of Morobe, Mougolu village in Western Province and Pataku Island in Manus are able to access a fully-stocked aid post and a fully-resourced school, only then will we have a reason to celebrate. Let us celebrate our 47th year peacefully with our families and with a reinvigorated outlook and approach to improve for the better in the road to our 50 years of Nationhood in the next three years. God Bless Papua New Guinea ****

Nambawan Super members will continue to benefit from K50 off the cost of their one-way ticket when flying with PNG Air. This follows the renewal of a Discount Partnership Agreement this week between Nambawan Super and PNG Air in Port Moresby. Nambawan Super CEO Mr Paul Sayer said: “We are pleased that this discount can be offered to more than 200,000 of our members across the country, when they choose to travel with PNG Air for work or a holiday”. “We encourage all our Nambawan Super members including those in Retirement Savings and Choice Super, to use the discount when purchasing PNG Air tickets for one-way travel for themselves and their dependents”, Mr Sayer added. PNG Air Commercial Operations Manager Mr Thomas Johns, said: “The signing today signifies the continuation of a strong partnership between our airline and Nambawan Super”, he said. “As a nationally-owned airline, we look forward to offering this discount to Nambawan Super members so that they can keep saving when travelling to any PNG Air destination in Papua New Guinea,” said Mr Johns. To claim the discount, Nambawan Super members would need to present their membership identification cards upon purchase of tickets at any PNG Air Sales Office. This offer is also redeemable on the PNG Air website. Members must quote the promo code ‘NAMBAWAN22’ when booking until 30th November 2022, and ‘NAMBAWAN23’ when booking from 1st February 2023 onwards. Members can travel at any time, except within the aforementioned dates. The discount is now available for members and their beneficiaries, and is subject to terms and conditions. Nambawan Super offers a full list of over 160 Discount Partners, to help members to plan where to shop a save throughout the year.

Morobe Provincial Education Program Advisor Keith Tangui has announced it will collaborate Australian Football League (AFL) with its Niu Kick program to reach out to the most remote schools in the province. PPA Keith Tangui announced this at the Erap Primary School during his visit to launch the six cluster primary schools expo which commenced yesterday. He promised to work with the sporting code which has a program to link students to sports and academic activities to further their studies in Australia if they were selected. Tangui described the AFL initiative as a successive bridging program to connect young kids through sports and get them exposed to higher standard activities where they can play sports and at the same time study overseas. He has also promised six primary schools in Wampar LLG in Huon Gulf District to raise this initiative to Morobe governor Luther Wenge and his team to consider partnering with his department and the sporting code so that they continue rolling out in the province. AFL Inter Regional Manager Josephine Illa commended the PPAs announcement and said it would be a welcoming news for the department and students in the province if all partners collaborate and run this program. She stated that the Niu Kick program concentrates on sports and academic development thus this will be a welcoming story for all if the partnership program is put together and becomes a reality. AFL, SCRUM and PNG Sports Federation have attended the launching of Erap Gabmazum Primary Schools cluster expo yesterday. The event was set to exhibit students sports and academic abilities so that students gain confidence to perform out in public. It started yesterday and will continue till Friday as the country observes the 47th Independence Day.

This week in Kokopo the Businesses for Health (B4H) TB project partnered with leading businesses to address PNG’s ongoing Tuberculosis crisis. Even though drugs that eradicate TB have been around since 1944, worldwide 1.5 million people still died of the illness in 2020. TB has been in PNG a long time. In the 1930s it was the largest cause of death at the Nonga hospital in East New Britain. In 2022, TB remains the most common reason for admission to hospital both in ENB and at the Port Moresby General Hospital in the National Capital.  T his year PNG will record at least another 4300 deaths from TB. B4H is working with businesses to change this. B4H works hand in hand with business to generate workplace TB leaders who learn to address TB issues in their workplaces as well as with their families and local communities. “TB is a serious development challenge for Papua New Guinea. At B4H we work to grow leaders in the workplace who can speak up and act.  Awareness alone is not enough.  Ignorance, stigma and complacency about poor health kills people, says Dr Ann Clarke B4H project manager, “to help address this every workplace needs policies and people trained to deliver activities to enable early case finding and swift return to work. This is why Kokopo businesses sent people to our 3-day workplace TB course. They will now go on to change the mindset and improve health seeking behaviour. Employees leave our training knowing that coughing is not normal. They learn coughing is a sign of disease, and all people with persistent coughs need kindly and respectfully to be supported to get checked. It is completely unacceptable to let workers, family or community members die of this preventable and treatable disease.” Over thirty local business leaders attended our TB update evening hosted by the Rabaul Hotel in ENB. PNG Air flew us here, The Gazelle Hotel hosted our team to deliver workplace training, the Remington Group printed our training manuals. These businesses know exactly how much just one ignored, or badly managed case of TB can impact their people and profits. TB is a massive burden on the PNG economy, Dr Clarke continued. “By teaching people about the long and complex clinical pathways for TB, introducing them to the provincial health teams and services we build confidence in and access to free TB services. We are so pleased to include local experts like Dr Grace Baiwan, Physician at NONGA. Dr Grace made it very clear, we can end TB if people bring her patients quickly before they create more TB patients. The trainees also met the TB and HIV teams at Butuwin Health Centre as part of our course. This is not just sit-down training. This is about building health leadership and learning to speak up, B4H TB HEO Koratsi explained. TB is not just an East New Britain issue; this is a regional issue. We need everyone in our region to pitch in with all their political, economic, and humanitarian might. The suffering generated by 40,000 TB cases in PNG is a crisis for anyone seeking to live, work or study overseas or enjoy a long and healthy life in PNG. B4H is grateful for some support for the project managers role from the Global Fund’s COVID-19 response grant to PNG. Without it, Dr Clarke would be unable to be here at all. Her task is to restore business participation in their mission to end TB. The trainees in Kokopo are strong women (and a few men) who are now empowered to speak up. We leave ENB knowing we have 19 more loud and informed voices to drive change and save lives.  B4H is a brilliant example of what we achieve in partnership with the Department of Health, the private sector and donors.  Dr Clarke said. PC: Businesses4Health: TB FB Page

Prime Minister James Marape, MP has welcomed King Charles III as the Head of State of Papua New Guinea at the Proclamation Ceremony held at the Parliament House yesterday. In his speech before the Governor-General His Excellency Sir Bob Dadae proclaimed King Charles III as the King of Papua New Guinea, he said as he watched the developments in the United Kingdom on Friday, 8th of September 2022, (PNG Time), and knew we would be witnessing some historic events happening in the life of our country as an Independent State and a member of the Realm of the Commonwealth. Prime Minister Marape said at the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, a new King has ascended the throne at the recommendation of the Queen’s Privy Council. He said he and the Governor General together with their spouses, are expected to have an audience with King Charles III on the 16th of September, which coincidently falls on the Day of our Independence. It is also the day that connects the history of the newly ascended Monarch to our country’s history as he was the one who represented the Queen at the lowering and changing of the flags on 16th September, 1975. “As a member of the Commonwealth nations, it is a monumental time to be in London also to mark the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. The Prime Minister said during his audience with the King, he will also take time to convey the congratulations of the people of Papua New Guinea to King Charles III on his ascension. “The Governor-General and I will be traveling to London to attend Queen Elizabeth’s lay-in-state at Westminster Abbey, the signing of the condolence book, have an audience with the new King, attend the funeral service and the burial of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” Prime Minister Marape said. “It will be our honour to represent our people from our 600 islands, from the mountains, from the valleys, along the rivers and the coastlines of the entire length and breadth of our country and convey our deepest condolences to the royal family and the people of the United Kingdom.” He said the passing away of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is an event of monumental proportion in our history because she is someone who connected our past to the present in her 70 year reign. “Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II was requested by our then, the Constituent Assembly in 1974 to be the Head of State for Papua New Guinea, a provision that also extends to the Heirs and Successors,” Prime Minister Marape said. “She had performed her duty to us continuously for the last 46 years. Her reign of 70 years and 214 days was the longest of any British Monarch and the second longest recorded of a Monarch of a sovereign country.” Prime Minister Marape said since the ascension of the then Princess Elizabeth Alexander, at age 27 to Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, she had been a symbol of grace, dignity, loyalty to duty and the commitment to the cause she believed in. She exemplified leadership of global standing. The Prime Minister said she also exhibited strong ethical standing and her willingness to embrace all before her was notable. “Papua New Guinea has learnt to embrace royalty because of her outlook within the realm and her long life. She was a defining and a steady influence over many countries within the commonwealth and her life was totally the anchor of our nation’s life,” he said. Prime Minister Marape said Her Majesty is affectionately known as Misis Kwin and had been a part of the entire lifetime of our country, as the Head of our State, stopping short of reaching 47 years of our nationhood by just eight days.

A preparatory Games Workshop for Team Papua New Guinea (Team PNG) was held at the Gateway Hotel on Saturday 10th September by the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC). The workshop covered analysis of Team PNG’s performance at the 2022 Pacific Mini Games and 2022 Commonwealth Games, and preparations for the upcoming 2023 Pacific Games (PG2023) in the Solomon Islands scheduled for November . With a total of 27 sports highlighted for Team PNG national representative selection opportunities, the workshop has provided an avenue for both the PNGOC and the respective National Federations to set out very clear strategic planning pathways and programs as the games are only 14 months away. PNGOC President Sir John Dawanincura in welcoming all the participants to tha one-day workshop emphasised the importance of the games itself and partnerships. He acknowledged Mr Albert Veratau, Executive Director of the PNG Sports Foundation for the close collaboaration between the government agency, the PNGOC and National Federations. Sir John said, “The Pacific Games is a multi-sport event that provides a wide platform for many of our people to be part of national sporting representation, as well as to interact with our brothers and sisters from across the region”. He added that it was an iconic multi-sport event in the region that not only unites the region, but will also be now used as a platform for some sports as qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. On that note, he encourage each National Federation to work together with the PNGOC and to comply with all performance and administrative requirements, and to adhere to the timelines provided by the PNGOC. Sir John also took the oportunity to introduce Kini Karo as the new Justification Committee (JC) Chairperson to the 19 National Federations and PNG Sports Foundation representatives who were present at the workshop. Kini also serves on the PNGOC Executive Board as the Male Vice President and is also the President for Badminton Papua New Guinea. In his presentation on the JC requirements and timelines, Kini also stressed on the importance of compliance to selection and performance standards Team PNG Chef de Mission (CdM) to the 2023 Pacific Games, Faye-Zina Lalo encouraged and stressed on the importance of being good sports ambassadors of PNG and to embody the Team PNG HERO values of honesty, excellence, respect and openness. CdM Lalo called on all the sports to have workable and achieveable plans to emulate the good performances set at the 2015 Port Moresby Games and 2019 Samoa Games, as achieved and exemplified in the recent 2022 Pacific Mini Games with Team PNG topping the medal tally with 80 medals. Apart from the 2022 Games annalysis and preparations for the 2022 Games, representatives from High Perforamance Sport PNG and the National Sports Institute in Goroka also presented on the services they continue to provide for athletes in PNG. A total of 60 participants from 19 National Federations, the Executive Board of PNGOC and PNG Sports Foundation attended the day-long event at the Gateway Hotel, in Port Moresby. This games workshop brings the total number of workshops held to assist the National Federations in their respective preparations to represent the country to three (3). Similar workshops were held in 2019 and 2020 to set clear games targets, programs and plans to achive Team PNG success.

Trends Beauty International has come on board the PNG Fashion Week platform as a sponsor to this weekend’s NGCB Paradise Runway. Advertising & Marketing Manager of Trends Beauty International Ms Rhoda Vere said they are delighted to once again partner with PNG Fashion Week to deliver a world class fashion event this weekend. Ms Vere further added that the company has always shown support to PNG Fashion Week especially for the POM Fashion Week events including the Grand Finale shows in the last five years where they provided hair and make up for PNG Fashion Week models. She further added that Trends beauty International has been in the hair and makeup industry for a very long time and have been doing so at a larger scale due to their capability and manpower which is inclusive of local make-up artists and hairdressers who have runway experiences. “These are the opportunities we use to get our local staff out there to experience what high end fashion is all about and we are grateful for the opportunity to do work with an international brand like PNG Fashion Week,” Ms Vere said. Operations Manager of Trends Beauty International Ms Sari Morante said their focus is to make the models look beautiful and confident so that they can better display the work of the designers. We will be focusing on making sure that the models are properly groomed so that they are confident to walk the NGCB Paradise Runway.” “It is also an opportune time for us to continue to expose our local makeup artists and in the process, help the young models to build their confidence within this space as well,” Ms Morante said. Marketing Manager Ms Vere also stressed that as part of Trends Beauty International’s corporate social responsibility, they are committed to supporting local fashion events such as PNG Fashion Week right down to events at the community levels. “The event itself is about promoting local designers and so part of our CSR and sponsorship, is in making sure that these models are properly groomed and looking the best and so what better way to bring together local makeup artists, local designers and local models into this one event and promote Papua New Guinea on the occasion of its’ 47th independence celebrations,” Ms Vere said. Ms Vere further added that there will be seven local make-up artists together with expat staff who will be providing hair and makeup for forty models who will be walking the NGCB Paradise Runway this Saturday night. The PNG Fashion Week second annual NGCB Paradise Runway will be taking place at the Hilton Hotel on Saturday the 17th of September.

The SME Elevate Series is a component of the POM City Market where a resource hub provides free business, finance, marketing and public relations advice from professional consultants. BSP was among the first Corporate organisation to come on board and support the series in 2021. On Saturday 10th September, 2022, BSP renewed this support with a cheque presentation of K10,000 to the Market Manager of POM City Markets, Marie Mapai. BSP NCD Area Manager Dennis Lamus said the bank is pleased to be supporting the SME Elevate Series at the monthly POM City Markets by offering BSP’s banking services to help SMEs grow their businesses. The BSP team also assist customers with Personal Account queries on BSP’s products and services. “You would have seen our teams come around to individual SME Booths offering BSP’s Digital Banking channels including our Mobile Merchant Service. SMEs who do not have access to an EFTPOS device are encouraged to sign up to become a Mobile Merchant, which is a more convenient service. SMEs are issued a Merchant Code which customers can easily make payments to via BSP Mobile Banking. “Under this sponsorship agreement, BSP will be at the next 11 monthly markets. For all your SME Loan queries, Account Opening and Mobile or Internet Banking Registrations, come see us at the POM City Markets,” Mr Lamus said

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today announced a record K9.7 billion tax revenue collection by the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC). He made the announcement as he prepares to travel to London for the funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II and as Papua New Guinea prepares to celebrate its 47th Independence anniversary on Friday, September 16, 2022. “I commend the sterling performance by the Internal Revenue Commission for the last eight months,” PM Marape said. “Papua New Guinea could not have asked for a better 47th Independence Anniversary performance indicator of a key State energy working its heart out. This record collection is the highest ever since 1975, and most importantly, highest collection ever in a tough year. “As of week ending September 9, 2022, the Internal Revenue Commission has collected around K9.7 billion with net transfers of K9.4 billion to the Waigani Public Accounts as projected by the 2022 National Budget. “This is a record achievement in a fiscal year, where IRC was able to surpass its annual target in the space of only eight months. “Compare the first eight months of this year with first eight months of last four years: “IRC’s Tax Revenue Collections in 2022 was boosted by a windfall in the petroleum and gas sector directly related to the Russian-Ukraine conflict. The global supply constraint coupled with higher demand as a result of post-COVID normalcy has seen the price of oil nearly double in space of just 12 months. Total Mining and Petroleum Tax (MPT) collection in the first eight months of 2022 totalled K2.965 billion. “Whilst windfall from MPT is acknowledged, other taxes have also performed strongly in 2022 – a reflection of some of the transformational interventions introduced at IRC since 2019. “The average MPT collections for the past four years (2018-2021) was K379 million. “The average total collection for first eight months of the last four years was K5.657 billion. “2022 total collection for the first eight months, less the MPT windfall, is K7.163 billion. “A total of K1.5 billion in increase revenue not attributed to MPT windfall has eventuated in the last eight months of 2022. “Non MPT taxes have performed well above the average of the last four years. IRC is beginning to see the fruits of its revenue initiatives and will continue to strive on becoming a robust and efficient tax administration by 2025. ” PM Marape said some of the notable initiatives and their revenue gains were as follows: • Introduced stringent Goods and Services Tax (GST) verification for refunds. This resulted in 20 per cent increase in GST collection annually or K200 million; • Cessation of credit offsets of GST to pay Salary and Wages Tax (SWT) liability. This resulted in K30-K40 million plus /month or K500 million annually; • GST s65 was rolled out. This resulted in K200 million-plus in the last eight months; • Increased media presence and awareness via media, resulting in on time payment improvement; • Increased support to provincial officers for tax inspections and awareness; and • The overall taxpayer awareness, improvement in efficiencies, increase in compliance activities and use of technology, amongst others, has contributed towards the sustained improved performance of IRC since 2019. “The Marape Government is intentional in raising internal revenues, hence, this year the Government increased the budget of the Internal Revenue Commission,” the Prime Minister said. “In 2022, the Government provided K160 million. This is the biggest budget support ever for IRC. “I understand that IRC has initiated 32 major reform projects to transform IRC into a robust, modern and efficient tax administration by 2025. The Government will continue to support IRC in the next two years to ensure that those projects are implemented successfully. “The Marape Government’s focus is on growing the economy, raising internal revenue and reducing borrowing over time. “The Government has intentions to introduce the immediate tax reliefs to cushion the impact of inflation. “The Government is also work toward the Golden Jubilee Anniversary in 2025 where most of the taxes, especially Salary and Wages Taxes and Corporate Income Taxes, will be reduced. IRC is currently undertaking all these projects to establish a cohesive collection mechanism so that any reduction in tax rates (tax revenue forgone) will have revenue positive effect. “

Grand Papua Hotel – A Member of Radisson Individuals, Port Moresby Wins – World Travel Award – Papua New Guinea’s Leading Business Hotel 2022. The Grand Papua Hotel in Port Moresby is a proud winner of The World Travel Award 2022. The World Travel Award recognizes and celebrates the hotel industry worldwide, with votes cast by travellers, guests, and industry players. It is the first year the Grand Papua Hotel has entered The World Travel Award and we are proud to have been awarded the following: Grand Papua Hotel – World Travel Award – Papua New Guinea’s Leading Business Hotel 2022 “It is another prestigious milestone for the Grand Papua Hotel again this year to be recognized as a world class upscale boutique hotel providing a high-end product and services in Papua New Guinea”. Says Senior Vice President & Group General Manager Peter Laigaard Jensen Grand Papua Hotel is situated in Port Moresby’s Central Business District, and offers 161 upscale guest rooms, suites, and residences. The Hotel was built in 2011 and continues to provide a high standard in its products and services for business travellers and corporate guests who want an upscale hotel experience with friendly service. And not at least the newly opened roof garden concept on 15th floor with culinary delights open from Thursday to Sunday Peter Laigaard Jensen explains: “We continue to take pride in giving our guests reasons for coming back not only to Grand Papua Hotel but also to Papua New Guinea and Port Moresby – this award is dedicated to all our hardworking employees and loyal guests” The Grand Papua Hotel boasts an upscale setting and guest experience with the Grand Brasserie, the 15th Floor, Grand Bar, and Grand Café, Grand Spa, and the Executive Lounge located on the 15th Floor as well. Group General Manger, Radisson Individuals Peter Tudehope express his gratitude to all staff and management in Grand Papua Hotel. I am very pleased Grand Papua Hotel – A Member of Radisson Individuals are awarded as a best-in-class property” ABOUT CORAL SEA HOTELS Coral Sea Hotels is a part of Steamships Limited’s legacy and history in Papua New Guinea and offers a portfolio of midmarket and upscale quality hotels in strategic well-appointed locations throughout Papua New Guinea. As one of the first hospitality pioneers in Papua New Guinea, Coral Sea Hotels is part of the country’s rich history and culture and continues to play an active part developing Papua New Guinea with a diversified hotel product portfolio through people and the local environment, enriching lives, and guest experiences. Coral Sea Hotels gives guests reasons for coming back. The portfolio of urban midmarket and city upscale hotels, residences and apartments cater to today’s frequent travellers and local community offering authentic and international hospitality in a warm and friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Coral Sea Hotels owns, manages, and operates 8 properties in Port Moresby, Lae, Mount Hagen, Goroka and Kiunga.

New Zealand coach Michael Maguire is set to stick by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, despite the prop facing a three-match ban that may sideline him until the knock-out stages of the World Cup. The Kiwis travel to England on September 30 and Maguire will be hoping a warm-up clash with Leeds on October 8 can be included in Waerea-Hargreaves' suspension so he is available for the final pool match against Ireland. If the Leeds clash does not count towards the ban, the Roosters veteran would be unavailable until New Zealand’s quarter-final, which is likely to be against Fiji in Hull on November 5. Captain Jesse Bromwich, his Storm team-mate Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Raiders prop Joseph Tapine and Penrith’s James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota are expected to be among the other middle forwards chosen, so Maguire has depth at his disposal. [caption id="attachment_26527" align="alignnone" width="906"] JWH goes to the bin[/caption] The likes of Isaiah Papali;i, Marata Niukore (both Eels), Kenny Bromwich, Brandon Smith (both Storm), Erin Clarke (Titans), Braden Hamlin-Uele, Briton Nikora (both Sharks), Corey Harawira-Naera (Raiders), Griffin Neame (Cowboys) and Jordan Riki (Broncos) are also in contention for forward spots. However, Waerea-Hargreaves is a valuable member of the Kiwis squad and Maguire considers him to be a leader on and off the field, as does Sydney Roosters mentor Trent Robinson. He has played 32 Tests for New Zealand since 2009 and was a member of the 2013 and 2017 World Cup squads. Waerea-Hargreaves had played every Test since Maguire took charge of the Kiwis in 2018 until forced to missed June's mid-season Test against Mata Ma'a Tonga due to a hamstring injury. While Maguire would want all of his squad to feature in the pool matches against Jamaica, Lebanon and Ireland, he knows that Waerea-Hargreaves is passionate about the Kiwis jersey and will do everything to be ready to play when required. The 32-year-old demonstrated his ability to make an immediate impact after an extended time on the sidelines when he made his comeback in round 19 against Newcastle following seven weeks out due to the hamstring injury The Roosters won seven consecutive matches with their forward leader back in the team before being losing Sunday's elimination final against South Sydney, in which Waerea-Hargreaves was one of a record seven players sin-binned. He was charged with grade two dangerous contact for a head slam on Rabbitohs and England prop Tom Burgess and faces a three match suspension with an early guilty plea or a four match ban if he unsuccessfully challenges the charge. Burgess also faces a two-to-three match suspension for a high tackle on Roosters captain James Tedesco, who is expected to be named Australia's captain at the World Cup. The Souths prop needs his team-mates to make the grand final if he is to play another NRL match this season. Should the Rabbitohs lose to Cronulla on Saturday night England coach Shaun Wane is likely to seek to have the host nation's October 8 warm-up clash with Fiji included in Burgess's ban so he is free for the World Cup opener against Samoa. Source: NRL.com

A long-time member of NCSL , Aaron Miskaram is helping people around him, engaged in small business activities such as selling cooked food items, operating trade stores and small table markets, to open savings accounts with NCSL. Aaron, 39, from New Ireland Province, lives at Ensisi Valley in Port Moresby and operates the Miskaram family trade store. He went out of his way to assist people at Ensisi Valley, UPNG, Boroko, and 5 Mile areas to become members of NCSL . Aaron said he benefited a lot from being a member and wanted others to also save and enjoy the benefits of being a member. “I’ve been saving with NCSL  for a long time now and enjoy everything the Society offers, especially the 1% loan interest and monthly interest paid on our savings,” he said. “My mum is also a voluntary contributor with NCSL and enjoys all the financial benefits. “Having savings set aside assists in my time of need. The services are readily available through the e-channels which is very convenient and I want others around me to know about NCSL  so they too can make that important decision to save and benefit from its attractive range of products and services offered by NCSL,” he said. One woman who recently became a member through Aaron’s awareness now banks her sales profit from selling Aigir with NCSL every two weeks. Aaron is encouraging others engaged in micro and small to medium enterprise (SME) businesses who do not have any savings account to make that choice to financially secure their future with NCSL.