Prime Minister James Marape has welcomed the recent announcement of more than K25 million in dividend payments to approximately 23,000-unit holders of the Pacific Balance Fund (PBF).

He described the development as an encouraging outcome of efforts to restore accountability, strengthen management and protect the investments of ordinary Papua New Guineans.

Prime Minister Marape said the declaration of record dividends for the 2024 and 2025 financial years demonstrated the importance of sound financial management, effective oversight and responsible stewardship of investments belonging to Papua New Guineans.

The Pacific Balance Fund, through its trustee Weathermen Capital Advisors Limited (WCAL), announced on 8 October 2026 that unit holders would receive dividends of 96 toea per unit for 2024 and K1.34 per unit for 2025, representing a combined K2.30 per unit.

The payments, totalling approximately K25.4 million, are expected to be made in November 2026, subject to the completion of necessary verification and payment arrangements. Prime Minister Marape said the announcement was particularly significant given the longstanding concerns surrounding the management and performance of the fund.

“This is welcome news for thousands of ordinary Papua New Guineans who have invested their hard-earned money in the Pacific Balance Fund over many years,” Prime Minister Marape said.

“These are investments belonging to our people — workers, retirees, families and citizens who placed their trust in an institution established to help them build financial security."

“The announcement of more than K25 million in dividends is an encouraging development, and I commend the current trustees and management for the work undertaken to improve the fund’s financial performance and restore confidence among unit holders.”

Marape recalled that the Government had raised serious concerns about the fund’s management and financial performance, leading to regulatory intervention and investigations into allegations involving its previous management.

He said the Government’s position had always been that the interests of unit holders must come first, and that those entrusted with managing public investments must be held to the highest standards of accountability.