APEC Ministers issue first-ever joint statement to bolster trade and SME development

Big Sky, Montana, 20 May 2011 – A first-ever joint statement by APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) was issued today.

At the Big Sky meeting, APEC Ministers addressed:

?     The importance of SMEs to APEC economies

?     Top barriers to SMEs trading in the region, including lack of access to financing, lack of capacity to internationalize and the need for open and transparent business environments.

?     Actions to address top barriers to SMEs trading in the region

 

The 2011 Joint Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade and Ministers Responsible for Small and Medium Enterprises can be accessed at:

http://www.apec.org/en/Meeting-Papers/Ministerial-Statements/Trade/2011_joint_tradeSME.aspx

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For more information, contact:  Augustine Kwan +65 9831 0717 at ak@apec.org or Michael Chapnick +1 (202) 664 6245 at mc@apec.org

Details about APEC meetings, events, projects and publications can be found at www.apec.org or www.apec2011.gov. You can also follow APEC on Twitter and join us on Facebook.

APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade issue statements

Big Sky, Montana, 20 May 2011 – APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade endorsed two statements at the close of their two-day meeting in Big Sky, Montana.

 

1.    The 2011 Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade, Statement of the Chair. It covers:

                                              

• Strengthening Regional Economic Integration and Expanding Trade
• Promoting Green Growth
• Advancing Regulatory Convergence and Cooperation
• Strengthening Economic and Technical Cooperation

It can be accessed at:

 

http://www.apec.org/en/Meeting-Papers/Ministerial-Statements/Trade/2011_trade.aspx

 

2.    The Statement on the WTO Doha Development Agenda Negotiations and Resisting Protectionism can be accessed at:

 

http://www.apec.org/en/Meeting-Papers/Ministerial-Statements/Trade/2011_trade/2011_mrt_standalone.aspx

 

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 For more information, contact:  Augustine Kwan +65 9831 0717 at ak@apec.org or Michael Chapnick +1 (202) 664 6245 at mc@apec.org

Hidden Valley Joint venture welcomes cooperative approach

Caption: Mining Minister Hon John Pundari and MP for Wau, Bulolo Hon Sam, Watut Union members, MMJV, Morobe provincial representatives after signing the joint press release

The Hidden Valley Joint Venture (HVJV) welcomed the outcomes of a stakeholder meeting held in Port Moresby on May 12,  2011,  that discussed constructive solutions to community concerns relating to the Hidden Valley Mine.

The HVJV would like to thank the Minister for Mining, Hon. John Pundari MP for coordinating the meeting and acknowledge the cooperative approach taken by all attendees, including key government departments, the Member for Bulolo, Hon Sam Basil, Watut River community leaders and the HVJV. 

In the spirit of this cooperative approach, the HVJV has agreed to stop using the statutory declaration form as part of the voluntary garden compensation process.

The HVJV will instead use an amended version of the current 'Damages Assessment Payment Receipt Form' to document all future payments under the voluntary garden compensation process.

The use of a receipt is a normal, responsible and transparent approach as it provides all parties with written evidence that the compensation amount has been agreed and received.

As agreed at last week's stakeholder meeting, the HVJV will now revisit the remaining 471 Watut River landowners who have not received compensation in order to finalise the voluntary garden compensation process.

The HVJV has already paid compensation of K3.8 million to 3,700 Watut River landowners for flood damage to crops and gardens, to which mine related sediment may have contributed, along with natural events including land slips and major rain events.

The HVJV will regard all forms already signed by Watut River landowners as being the same as the amended receipt form. Therefore, landowners who have already received compensation do not need to sign a new form.

The process for the voluntary garden compensation payments will continue the current robust and transparent approach which involves a claim submitted from the affected landowner, followed by a damage assessment.

The damage assessment is conducted by a multi-party team comprising HVJV employees, Morobe Provincial Government or Bulolo District Office representatives, LLG representatives and the claimant/landowner of the affected property.

The HVJV remains committed to continued constructive dialogue with its key stakeholders, including the national, provincial and local level government, community leaders and the local community in order to resolve remaining community issues.

Media inquiries:

David Wissink Hidden Valley Joint Venture Mobile: (675) 7100 2406 Email: david.wissink@morobejv.com

Background

The Hidden Valley Mine is operated by the Hidden Valley Mine Joint Venture (HVJV) a  50:50 Joint Venture between Harmony Gold of South Africa and Newcrest Mining of Australia.

The Hidden Valley Mine is located near Wau and Bulolo in Morobe Province. It was officially opened in September 2010.

The Hidden Valley Mine has a workforce of more than 2,000 people with 95 per cent of workers being PNG Nationals and 50 per cent being from the local communities.

It is important to note that the Hidden Valley Mine has an engineered tailings storage facility and no mine processing residue, or tailings, is discharged into the river.

The mine related sediment in the river that has caused community concern was run-off from mine overburden and construction activities.

The mine transitioned from construction to operation in October 2010.

Mine sediment run-off is now significantly lower due to mitigation measures.

These measures included ceasing of side casting of waste rock and overburden in September 2009, ongoing revegetation of exposed slopes and erosion control, and the storage of waste rock in engineered waste rock facilities.

The HVJV places a high value on responsible environmental management and our relationship with local communities.

The HVJV has been making voluntary garden compensation payments to communities along the Watut River for flood damage to crops and gardens, regardless of whether this was due to additional sediment run-off from the mine construction activity or by natural events such as landslips and heavy rain.

To date, the HVJV has paid a total of K3.8 million to 3,700 Watut River landowners.

The voluntary garden compensation payments are in addition to the Hidden Valley Mine's existing sustainable development program which is bringing education support, agricultural skills, health programs and community facilities such as sanitation and water supplies, school classrooms, community halls and aid posts.

These programmess were developed in partnership with the local and provincial government and are aligned with their development programs.

An Expert Stakeholder Advisory Panel is also being established by the HVJV to provide independent review of sediment related issues and related community concerns.

APEC Trade Ministers acknowledge status of DDA, push for stronger multilateral trading system

 
Issued by APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade
 
Big Sky, Montana, 19 May 2011 – Committed to increasing trade and opening markets in the Asia-Pacific, trade ministers explored productive steps APEC can take to sustain the overall strength of the multilateral trading system and address the path forward. 
 To support economic growth and job creation in the region, APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade met here today to focus on strengthening regional economic integration, promoting green growth, and advancing regulatory convergence and cooperation – the three priorities for APEC which is hosted by the United States this year.  
US Trade Representative, Ambassador Ron Kirk, said the discussion would contribute to achieving concrete results in these areas, which are key to strengthening economic growth and development in the Asia-Pacific.
 "Whether they are manufacturers, ranchers, or farmers, many benefit from the outcomes APEC generates and it is vital that we keep that in mind today and tomorrow to ensure that we provide the necessary direction to APEC officials so by November when APEC Leaders meet, we have a set of strong outcomes that will move us towards the goal of a seamless regional economy," said Ambassador Kirk who chaired the meeting. 
 The Doha Round was a topic of discussion. Ministers acknowledged the challenges facing the current round of world trade negotiations. 
 "In my view, without abandoning our commitment to the success of the Round, we need to begin a hard-nosed discussion of what can be done.  We need to explore what 'next steps' we can take to find a more productive path – and, if we find that path, to take it as quickly as possible," Ambassador Kirk explained. 
 "Wherever we go next, I think it's critical to emphasize one point – the WTO is strong, as it has shown itself to be in the past three years.  We have confidence in it."
 World Trade Organization Director-General Pascal Lamy also briefed Ministers this morning on the status of the Doha Round and discussed possible next steps.  
 "I will be holding a Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC) meeting on 31 May to take stock of my consultations and chart a path forward," said Lamy. "There is little time available and this is why I believe we should use the TNC on 31 May to move the discussions from process into substance." 
 "The signals from this meeting and from the upcoming Ministerial meeting hosted by Australia in the margins of the OECD are key inputs into that process," he concluded. 
 APEC Trade Ministers are expected to release a statement at the end of their meeting on May 20, followed by a press conference. They will also meet jointly with Small and Medium Enterprise Ministers in the afternoon. SME Ministers will convene on May 21 to address barriers and challenges that are facing companies from throughout the region take advantage of global trade.
 Separately, APEC Senior Officials from APEC's 21 member economies have concluded their meeting on the issues and work to be undertaken to address the three priorities for this year
 
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For more information, contact:  Augustine Kwan +65 9831 0717 at ak@apec.org or Michael Chapnick +1 (202) 664 6245 at mc@apec.org
 
Details about APEC meetings, events, projects and publications can be found at www.apec.org or www.apec2011.gov. You can also follow APEC on Twitter and join us on Facebook.

Sir Mekere wants house dissolved

By JEFFREY ELAPA

PARLIAMENT is a dead organ that needs to be dissolved immediately to allow for a fresh election, the opposition said,
The National reports.
In a press conference soon after parliament adjourned yesterday, former opposition leader Sir Mekere Morauta said all leaders needed to "take measures to resuscitate the legislative arm of government for the benefit of the people they represent".
Sir Mekere said parliament was not working as it continued to be adjourned.
They blamed the government for not providing the numbers to allow the quorum for important bills listed on the notice papers.
They feared that important enabling legislation for the Hela-Jiwaka Transitional Authority, the boundary commission report and other important bills were likely to fail.
They said the government failed to provide the numbers as a result of the infighting within the ruling National Alliance party over its leadership.
The opposition feared the bill to reserve 22 seats for women was likely to fail as there was not enough time for it to be debated before the next election.
Sir Mekere challenged acting Prime Minister Sam Abal to have some control over the movements of his members.
 "They are like cowboys. While he is in office they are fighting for the office. It is a failure of basic human consideration and respect," he said.
Former deputy prime minister and member for Abau Sir Puka Temu said many outstanding bills needed to be passed and the government must provide the numbers to needed for a quorum.
He said that the opposition would support some of the important bills and the government should not continue to leave the seats empty.
He said that the speaker needed to be changed as he was always gagging parliament.
"He is not playing the game right. This is the worst speaker we have had so far, he is a laughing stock," he said.
Deputy PNG party leader and member for Anglimp-South Waghi Jamie Maxtone-Graham said on Wednesday there were only 16 ministers and even fewer yesterday.
Parliament was adjourned to 10am today after many seats in the chamber were left empty.
This is the second time the parliament has adjourned because of a lack of quorum after starting its sitting last week.

K169 million optic cable deal signed

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

RURAL districts of Southern Highlands will be on the forefront of telecommunications technology after the signing of a US$70 million (K169.5 million) agreement for the installation and operation of a fibre optic cable along the PNG liquefied natural gas pipeline, The National reports.
The multi-million-kina agreement was signed between ExxonMobil country manager Peter Graham and Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru at Parliament House yesterday.
The 750km cable line would provide efficient and reliable telecommunication between Hides in Southern Highlands and the LNG liquefaction plant in NCD.
Agiru described yesterday's signing as a momentous occasion for Southern Highlands and Papua New Guinea.
"The fibre optic cable will transform Southern Highlands into a global entity."
With the nerve centre at Ela Beach in NCD, two computer centres would be set up in Tari and Mendi to link districts in Southern Highlands.
Graham said the occasion was another milestone in the execution of the PNG LNG project, bringing with it opportunities for the economy.
"As we progress through the project's four-year construction period, our investments are generating direct benefits and contributing indirectly to the national economy by stimulating business development and demonstrating to the world that PNG is a worthy investment destination," Graham said.
The PNG LNG project has a 33.33% interest in the cable while IPBC owns 41.67%, Oil Search Ltd 16.67% and the Southern Highlands government 8.33%.
The signing was witnessed by Public Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare and Southern Highlands MPs including Treasury and Finance Minister Peter O'Neill, State Minister Francis Potape, Sports Minister Philemon Embel, Mendi MP Isaac Joseph and Kagua-Erave MP James Lagea. 

Kapris gets 30 years

Highlights:
*Of the K2.4m stolen from BSP Madang, only K430,000 recovered
*Kapris, his number two and Elizabeth Kivare still have BSP Kerema robbery charges to answer
*No suspended sentences

By JAYNE SAFIHAO

WILLIAM Nanua Kapris will spend 30 years in jail for masterminding the K2.4 million Bank South Pacific Madang branch robbery, the biggest heist in the country, The National reports.
Sentencing him yesterday, Justice David Cannings was moved to ask the question everyone wanted the answer to – "where has the money gone?"
In his 64-page judgment, Cannings said of the K2.4 million stolen, K1.2 million was taken from Lae to Port Moresby and kept at Tamara Player Tomscoll's house and police only recovered about K430,000.
But, despite the mystery surrounding the missing money, Kapris and his gang were sentenced to a total of 161 years in jail for the multiple charges they faced.
The court took into account that the conspiracy involved a large number of people, the subject of the conspiracy was the commission of a very serious crime, the offender was the central figure in the conspiracy and that each hostage would have suffered some trauma.
Described as a "habitual criminal", Kapris was charged with one count of armed robbery, one count conspiracy, 13 counts kidnapping and 14 counts of unlawful deprivation of liberty.
Kapris was denied suspended sentences or time deducted for the period spent in custody.
Kapris will be sent to Bomana (and not Lakiemata, in West New Britain, as he had requested) to await the Kerema BSP trial.
However, the judge told Kapris that he was free to pursue the switch if he wanted to.
His 11 other co-conspirators were given sentences of between eight and 15 years with the court using its discretion to deduct time spent in custody and partial suspensions of between three and four years.
They were sentenced as follows:
*Jacob Okimbari Peningi, known as Kapris' second-in-command, was given 11 years to be served at Beon in Madang;
*Kito Aso, nine years and three months, to be transferred to Lakiemata;
*Peter Alan Popo, six years and six weeks;
*Johnny Gumaira was given six years and three months;
*Ruben Micah, five years and seven weeks;
*Colin Masilo, five years and 10 months;
*Bobby Selan, four years, four months and two weeks;
*Damien Inanei, three years, one month and two weeks;
*Joyce Maima, three years and four months;
*Elizabeth  Kivare, who will return to Bomana to answer to the BSP Kerema charge, one year and nine weeks; and
*Boat skipper Elvis Bala Aka, 14 months.
Kito and Bala will be transferred to Lakiemata while Gumaira, Kapris and Kivare back to Bomana.
The cost of their transfer will be met by the Correctional Services.
The case brings to an end 18 months of intensive investigations by police and one of the most expensive criminal cases ever to go before the courts.
Figures released last week by state departments on funds expended on the case showed:
*Public prosecutors spending K299,882.60;
*Police K1,095,455.60;
*Correctional Services K2,757,950; and
*Public solicitors K246,100

Frieda mine could be one of world’s best

THE Frieda River project, a gold and copper mine developed by Xstrata Mining Ltd and Highlands Pacific Ltd, is estimated to have more than 11 million tonnes of copper and 18 million ounces of gold in its Nena, Horse/Ivaal/Trukai (HIT) and Koki deposits, The National reports.
The project, currently undergoing a bankable feasibility study (BFS) carried out by Xstrata, when in full production will put Frieda on the map as one of the world's top 15 copper mines.
Highlands Pacific managing director John Gooding said yesterday that the production life of Frieda could be up to 20-30 years, with the first eight years producing 250,000 tonnes per annum of copper and 380,000 ounces per annum of gold.
"If you look at its second year of operation, on or about the year 2018 on current schedules, Frieda will produce about 320,000 tonnes of copper and a massive 580,000 ounces of gold.
"This would place it in the top 10 if in production today," he explained.
Gooding pointed out that Frieda has in-ground copper and gold resource potential for many decades of production.
"To put the current Frieda resource in context, that is about double the current inventory at the fabulous Wafi-Golpu project which stock market analysts have placed valuations on in the billions of dollars," he told shareholders at the annual general meeting.
Frieda River project, located between the East and West Sepik provinces, is 81.82% owned by Xstrata who are funding its BFS, and by Highlands Pacific (18.18%).
Gooding said the other exploration project for Highlands Pacific on Star mountains has also reported significant copper gold intersections from its drilling programme.

APEC needs to put empowerment of SMEs at center of economic agenda: US Commerce Secretary

Issued by the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group

 

Big Sky, Montana, 18 May, 2011 - "Growing renewable energy industries, such as wind, solar and biofuels, are a critical part of catalyzing clean economic growth," said US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on Wednesday in Big Sky, Montana.
Locke made his remarks at the Enhancing Competitiveness through Green Growth Forum. The meeting was organized by the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group. A video of his remarks will be available on the APEC website.
Locke said that over the next few decades, world economies will need to rebuild and reinvent virtually every industrial activity – from power generation and transportation to manufacturing and construction – to succeed in an energy environment that looks drastically different than the one we've grown used to.
"The potential new business and new job creation in front of us is astounding," said Locke.

Locke characterized the issue with an example of one of the challenges facing the United States. In the United States, buildings consume 40 percent of energy and 73 percent of electricity. They are responsible for about 39 percent of carbon emissions – more than the transportation or industrial sectors.
But he also expressed optimism. "It's no surprise then that greening these buildings can create immense economic opportunity, with the overall green building market projected to reach as much as $140 billion worldwide by 2013."
"A big part of the answer lies with the small and medium-sized enterprises," he continued. "This is why APEC member economies need to put the empowerment of small businesses at the very center of our economic agendas."
"I don't think there's any question that APEC member economies greatly value the power of thriving small businesses -- especially when it comes to spurring clean growth.
But small companies continue to face hurdles in the APEC region. The International Trade Commission and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development identified excessive transportation costs and customs clearance delays; difficulty protecting intellectual property and preferential tariff rates; and lack of access to financing and information as the main culprits to growth.
Locke urged APEC member economies to pursue policies that unleash innovation and enable entrepreneurs.

"The job of APEC policymakers is to help create an environment that supports the risk-taking and innovation that will be so important to promoting clean growth in the years to come," said Locke.

He also said that policies need to be developed to give entrepreneurs the tools to succeed no matter where they live.

APEC Senior Officials from APEC's 21 member economies concluded their meeting today. APEC Trade Ministers and Small and Medium Enterprise Ministers are to convene from May 19-21 here and will focus on APEC's 2011 agenda to further advance free and open trade in the region.

                                                                  # # #

For more information, contact: Augustine Kwan +65 9831 0717 at ak@apec.org or Michael Chapnick +1 (202) 664 6245 at mc@apec.org
Details about APEC meetings, events, projects and publications can be found at www.apec.org or www.apec2011.gov. You can also follow APEC on Twitter and join us on Facebook.

 

APEC, World Bank sign agreement to boost food safety

Issued by the APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance's Food Safety Cooperation Forum

 

Big Sky, Montana, 18 May 2011 – APEC and the World Bank today signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen collaboration on food safety in the Asia-Pacific region, which accounts for over 40 percent of the world's population and nearly half of global food production.

 The APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance's Food Safety Cooperation Forum and the World Bank will work together closely on training programs to improve food safety standards and practices in the region, as well as to facilitate trade.

 The programs will enable more growers, producers and food safety officials to understand and utilise preventative controls – resulting in safer food for consumers and fewer safety incidents in food trade.

 "Food trade is increasingly becoming a global issue with complex and inter-related supply chains, which raises the need to address the question of food safety," said APEC Secretariat Executive Director, Ambassador Muhamad Noor.

 Ambassador Noor added that global and regional cooperation on building the capacity of regulatory systems is key to reducing food incidents and boosting trust in trade. This enhances domestic commerce and export markets.

 "More widespread movement of food and livestock around the world requires vigilance on food safety and disease risk," said Inger Andersen, World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development. "More exacting standards pose challenges to poor farmers competing in these growing markets."
Signing the MOU with APEC today, Andersen said, "Food safety is an increasingly significant part of the World Bank's lending and technical assistance programs in East Asia and the Pacific, as well as in other regions. We are extremely pleased to be working with APEC to bring more attention to this critical issue. This new agreement will strengthen our joint efforts to mobilize resources and promote and support capacity building to better ensure food safety concerns," she said.

 Ms Andersen and the co-chairs of the APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum, Steve McCutcheon from Australia and Lin Wei from China, signed the MOU in the margins of a series of APEC meetings currently underway in Big Sky, Montana.

 "The MOU opens the way for an upscaling of food safety capacity building in the region," said McCutcheon and Lin in a joint statement.

 APEC Trade Ministers and Small and Medium Enterprise Ministers meet from May 19-21 in Big Sky, focusing on APEC's 2011 agenda to further advance free and open trade in the region.

 The APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum was established to bring together food safety regulators to develop a food safety framework and strategy and to carry out capacity building programs in this important area.

 

The memorandum of understanding is part of APEC's agenda to strengthen food security in the diverse region, home to about one quarter of the world's undernourished people. The region also accounts for half of world grain production and includes major exporters and importers of agricultural products.

 

APEC held its first APEC Ministerial Meeting on Food Security last October in Niigata, Japan, and committed to focus on raising agricultural productivity, facilitating trade and investment and expanding markets.

 

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For more information, contact:  Augustine Kwan +65 9831 0717 at ak@apec.org or Michael Chapnick +1 (202) 664 6245 at mc@apec.org

 

Museums and memory

 Yesterday was International Museum Day and on hand to join in the celebrations, at the National Museum and Art Gallery in Waigani, NCD, were youngsters Warita Irima (from left), Emerald Hamanin, Ednaldo Sarere and Evangeline Sarere as members of the Bougainville bamboo band, The National reports.

Based on the theme "museums and memory", the gallery organised a number of activities with the main event being an exhibition featuring musical instruments from around the country. – Nationalpic by AURI EVA

Nautilus completes Bismarck drilling

NAUTILUS Minerals has completed its 2010-11 seafloor drilling programme, with the vessel, rem Etive, having been demobilised in Singapore on Monday, according to Marketwire news, The National reports.

During the drilling programme in the Bismarck Sea between New Ireland and New Britain , Nautilus completed a 99-hole diamond drilling project, for a total of 1,475m.

Drilling was focused within the area of the mining lease (ML154) recently granted to Nautilus by the national government through the Mineral Resources Authority, which contained the Solwara One deposit and the Solwara Five seafloor massive sulphide (SMS) discovery.

 A total of 71 holes was drilled in ML154, for 1,147m.

The remainder of the drilling was conducted in exploration lease 1,374, which hosts Nautilus' Solwara 12 SMS discovery.

Nautilus' chief executive officer Steve Rogers said the highlight of the campaign had been the identification of mineralisation at depth at Solwara 12 and the improved knowledge gained at Solwara-1.

"We have commenced data evaluation and analysis and it is expected that results will be reported before the end of this year," he said.

Nautilus commissioned Golder and Associates to generate an updated resource estimate.

Nautilus is the first company to commercially explore the ocean floor for poly-metallic seafloor massive sulphide deposits and is currently developing its first project at Solwara-1 in the territorial waters of PNG.

Nautilus is listed on the TSX and AIM stock exchanges, and has, among its largest shareholders, two of the world's leading international resource companies namely, Anglo-American (11.1%) and Teck Resources (6.8%) as well as Metalloinvest, one of the largest and fastest growing mining and metallurgical holding companies in Russia.

Metalloinvest owns 21.0% of the company's issued shares through Gazmetall Holding (Cyprus) Ltd.

'Government parked K5 billion in bills with banks’

By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

THE government has parked more than K5 billion in treasury bills with commercial banks which has cost the state dearly in steep banking fees, opposition spokesman of finance and economic matters and Lae MP, Bart Philemon told parliament yesterday, The National reports.

He revealed this in questions directed at acting Prime Minister Sam Abal.

Philemon wanted to know why the government had banked revenue earned from high commodity prices with commercial banks rather than with the central bank which offers far lower rates to manage the fund.

He suggested that this practice was in breach of the Public Finances Management Act as well as due processes.

He added that the commercial banks received 5%-6% interest for managing the treasury bills which the central bank has to pay the banks while the interest paid to government was a mere 1%-2%.

Philemon said the central bank might have paid as much as K4 million to the commercial banks for managing the treasury bills.

"This is the biggest scam played by the government," he said.

The former finance and treasury minister said treasury bills should be held with the central bank as the authorised agent for all treasury bills. He said it appeared this established process had been bypassed the responsible departments and their political heads.

Philemon said that it was a poor decision by the ministers and the government to abuse all due financial management processes.

Abal said judgment of the performance of the ministers is the responsibility of the prime minister and it is not something for the parliament to know.

"I will not go into the discussion on the performance of the ministers as it has nothing to do with parliament," he said.

He said that the decisions to park the treasury bills are government policy decisions and directives and it was not done for any personal interest, adding that the government has approved it through the policy guidelines.

From a land of milk and honey

Caption: Milk, eggs, cream and yoghurt produced by EBC Farm at 6-Mile, Lae.-Picture by MALUM NALU

 

By MALUM NALU

 

Not many people may know that a farm just outside Lae has for years been supplying the city with fresh dairy products such as milk, cheese, butter and yoghurt.

It proves that Lae, and Papua New Guinea for that matter, is truly a land of milk and honey, as visitors to the recent NARI Agricultural Innovations Show found out.

Apart from these, the Evangelical Brotherhood Church (EBC) Farm at 6-Mile along the Highlands Highway also supplies fresh eggs, chicken, cattle, pigs and other livestock to residents of Lae.

The EBC was founded in 1974 in cooperation with the Swiss Evangelical Brotherhood Mission and one of its main activities to help spread the Word of God is through teaching young people about farming, which it does successfully at 6-Mile.

"We sell our dairy products on the farm at 6-Mile as well as supermarkets and hotels," says sales representative Charles Mark.

"We supply Melanesian Hotel, Lae International Hotel, Huon Gulf Motel, Yacht Club, bakeries, Papindo 8/6, Papindo Eriku, Pelgens, Andersons Foodland, Food Mart and others.

"At the farm, we have chicken, cows and pigs.

"We also have fish."

Bauka Blue: the true taste of Aiyura Valley

Caption: Marey Yogiyo displaying her Bauka Blue coffee at the recent NARI Agricultural Innovations Show.-Picture by MALUM NALU

 

By MALUM NALU

 

One of the upcoming brands of coffee in Papua New Guinea is Bauka Blue Kofi, produced entirely by a dedicated group of women from the beautiful Aiyura Valley, Eastern Highlands province.

It may not yet be in the big league of Chimbu's Kongo Coffee, Goroka Coffee from Eastern Highlands or Sigri Coffee from Western Highlands, however, is steadily developing a loyal fan base among missionaries at neighbouring Summer Institute of Linguistics, Kainantu, Bintangor Supermarket in Goroka, as well as SVS Stores.

Bauka Blue Kofi comes from the green rolling hills of Aiyura Valley, backed by beautiful blue mountains 1,200-1,800 metres above sea level in the Obura-Wonenara district of Eastern Highlands province.

The surrounding mountains are covered with tropical rainforest and beautiful morning fog, home to more than 114 species of birds identified so far out of 852 different types of birds found in PNG.

Of the 42 species of birds of paradise in PNG, four have been identified on the ridges around Aiyura.

Up to 50 different birds are frequent visitors to the shade trees, coffee gardens and secondary forest along the water ways.

Perfect environment for a perfect, environmentally-friendly Bauka Blue Kofi.

Marey Yogiyo, wife of coffee personality Jon Yogiyo, took part in the recent NARI Agricultural Innovations Show in Lae.

"We started it in 2000 as a women's coffee, involving ladies around the area where we live at Aiyura," she says.

"We realised that ladies spend a lot of time making and producing quality coffee, however, when everything was done, the men take the coffee to market and get all the money.

"We decided to do it ourselves.

"We help ladies.

"We pay school fees; attend to health problems.

"The ladies are happy to work together."

After picking, processing and drying, women of the Bauka group take their coffee to Arabicas in Goroka for roasting.

"I want to show farmers that we can make and drink our own coffee," Yogiyo says.

"Why should we work so hard and give it to somebody else?

"Bauka coffee is unique from other coffees because it is a single origin.

"Single origin means it comes straight from the block, from Aiyura."

Yogiyo says Bauka women have not yet secured overseas markets; however, that is not an impossibility.

Guava woman of Lae

 Edith Babul displaying Indian guavas at her stall at the recent NARI Agricultural Innovations Show in Lae.-Picture by MALUM NALU

By MALUM NALU

One of the most-popular stalls at the recent NARI Agricultural Innovations Show was that of woman farmer, Edith Babul, who runs Ngalonzua Farm at 16-Mile along the Highlands Highway outside Lae.

Her Indian guavas, some of them as big as young coconuts, sold like hot cakes on the day.

"I started my farm in 1992," Babul says.

"In 1995, I started growing Indian guavas, having my first harvest in 2000; however, I thought the demand wasn't there, so I only sold at Munum market.

"After that, I started selling at the main market in Lae, and now I have contracts with Papindo, Food Mart, Payless, Coronation school and some other Asian supermarkets.

"Business is going so well that I've also gone into oranges, water melons and soursop – a natural cure for cancer – which I supply on a regular basis to Angau hospital.

"I'm also into livestock like pigs, ducks and chickens."

Babul, a member of PNG Women in Agriculture, urges women to get into farming rather than sitting around gambling, chewing betelnut and wasting time.

"Farming is much better than sitting around doing nothing, gambling, etc," says the former Coral Sea Hotels' employer, originally from Northern province, but married to a local man.

"I now have 4,000 guava trees.

"Now I'm working for myself."

Rich soil gives East New Britain robusta distinct taste

 

ROBUSTA coffee produced in the lowland volcanic rich soil of the East New Britain has distinct cup characteristics from that produced in other parts of Papua New Guinea, The National reports.

Senior quality control officer of the Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) Ltd based in the Lae export office, Rose Romalus revealed this when speaking to ENB coffee corporative executives and CIC staff in Buana in the Toma local level government (LLG) recently. 

"Any ordinary coffee drinker can tell a big difference between the Robusta coffee produced in ENB and Robusta coffee from other areas of PNG," Romalus said.

She said the ENB Robusta coffee had higher cup characteristics, and could fetch higher prices in the world market.

Chairman of the East New Britain Coffee Growers Cooperative Association (ENBCGCA) Chris Malaibe and ENB smallholder coffee growers association chairman John Kapia Waratopo expressed that more coffee training and awareness programmes were needed in the province to complement the increasing interest among the local farmers to venture into cultivating coffee as an alternative cash crop apart from cocoa and coconut.

They said the farmers needed more training to manage their coffee gardens well and produce quality coffee.

 Malaibe said some farmers were planting both Arabica and Robusta in one garden which posed the possibility of mixing the two varieties while processing them, as such mixing of coffee would degrade the cup quality of a specific variety.

CIC is promoting ENB, New Ireland, Milne Bay, East and West Sepik, Madang, Gulf and Oro as new growth areas for coffee extension programmes to contribute to the overall coffee production in PNG.

According to the ENB technical officer Jacob Morre, a total of 6,000 growers with more than two million coffee trees (both Robusta and Arabica) were recorded in the four districts of Gazelle, Kokopo, Pomio and Rabaul last year.

MP: Millions in Wewak funds ‘lost’

A TOTAL of K16.2 million of public funds, earmarked for Wewak district, has been misused and misapplied, Wewak MP Dr Moses Manwau has claimed, The National reports.

Manwau asked during question time if Finance and Treasury Minister Peter O'Neill was aware of an audit report of the funds from the Wewak district being misused and misappropriated.

He asked what penalties would be given to those who were responsible for the abuse of the public funds.

"The decentralisation functions of the treasury without proper and skilled management team to handle finances in the district is causing havoc to the effective delivery of goods and services in my district," he said.

He said that a 2010 audit report indicated a total gross misuse, misapplication and prudently usage of public money for 2008 to June 2010 of more than K16.2 million.

He said that another independent audit report was also done and the report was with the Office of Rural Development. It also revealed misuse of the funds.

Manwau said later, after parliament was adjourned to 10am, that last November, he got K2 million from his DSIP funds and deposited the funds into the district treasury but they had all been used up without his knowledge.

He said there was only K40,000 in balance and he did not know where the rest of the money had gone without the knowledge of the district budget priority committee.

"The district treasurer and the district administrator are the signatories to the district funds which are basically for services in the district and I am not a signatory to the district treasury accounts," he said.

However, O'Neill replied that he was not aware of the audit but the matter was serious and he would respond after having a look at the audit report.

He said there must be transparency and accountability at all times when dealing public funds.

Garia queries use of DSIP

 

THE buying and owning of earthmoving equipment by districts under the district service improvement programme is questionable, Chimbu Governor Fr John Garia says, The National reports.

He said during question time that although the DSIP funds were a good initiative of the government to provide goods and services to the people, "there is a concern for the districts that used the funds to buy earthmoving and working machinery".

He said if the machinery was used to develop the district, then "it was not a problem but so far many machines brought by the district are engaged in road and construction work in other districts and provinces and making money and not serving its purpose".

He said machines bought through the DSIP were for the development of the district and it should be specifically used for that purpose.

He said such machinery should not be owned by individuals and "cronies of members who will claim it if the member finishes as happened in many cases".

"Who is going to be responsible for the machines and who will own the machines after the term of the member finishes?" Garia asked.

He said there should be some form of progressive report on how the DSIP funds were used and which district was performing exceptionally well in terms of service deliver using the funds.

He said by doing that the government "can actually see how each province is performing so the funds can be given to them".

Garia said if any district did not perform, it should not be given any funds because "they cannot prove that they can deliver to the people".

"It would be a waste of public money giving it to them."

The question was not answered after the Speaker, Jeffrey Nape, ruled that the governor's questions were statements.

Member for Menyamya, Benjamin Philip admitted services were restored and development was taking place in his district after the government introduced DSIP.

He commended the government for the initiative, which he said had complemented the service delivery programmes in his district.

Jealous hubby murders four

Man guns down wife and parents and stabs child

 

By ANGELINE KARIUS

 

A MAN allegedly killed four members of his family in Port Moresby last weekend after learning that his wife was having an affair, The National reports.

Police said the mine worker, who was on his field break and whom they did not name, shot dead his Morobean wife and his parents and then slashed his child to death.

The killings took place in broad daylight at Waigani Heights.

Police said the husband, from Sepik, was allegedly high on drugs when he committed the offence.

They added that the killings had been reported to the homicide unit at Boroko police station which was investigating.

Police said the accused shot both his parents at point blank and then his wife during an argument when his parents tried to intervene.

He later tried to shoot his child but failed after he ran out of ammunition, so he slashed the child with a bush knife, killing him on the spot.

Police said the accused then tried to kill himself but his neighbours rushed into his home and restrained him.

Police had not released further details about the man or his background but he is understood to be in police custody pending investigations.

Meanwhile, NCD metropolitan commanderd Supt Joseph Tondop confirmed another wilful murder which occurred at North Waigani last Saturday.

Nixon Naregre, 23, from Koibuka village, Mul Baiyer, Western Highlands, was shot at close range at the back of his head killing him instantly.

Police reported that Naregre was sitting at his mini market stall around 7pm when two suspects approached from behind.

According to reports, the suspects asked the deceased if he was Nixon and when he said yes, one of them took out a .38 revolver and shot him.

Naregre worked as a security guard at Penthouse night club in the Gordon area.

Police attended the scene of the crime and investigations have begun into the matter.

Polling starts for North Bougainville

Caption: Polling week for North B'ville ... Polling for the North Bougainville by-election started yesterday with the exception of Selau constituency, which began polling on May 14. Among the more than 10,000 eligible voters, expected to vote for the seat left vacant by Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio, was former ABG speaker Nick Peniai voting at Sohano Island yesterday.  – Picture by ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

 

By STEPHANIE ELIZAH

 

POLLING for the North Bougainville by-election started yesterday with the exception of Selau constituency, which began polling on May 14, The National reports.

More than 10,000 eligible voters will be going to the poll to elect a new member for the North Bougainville open seat.

The seat was left vacant by former member and now Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio.

Six of the 55 polling teams engaged departed Buka Island on Sunday for the Atolls and Nisan while the rest were dispatched yesterday by road to Tsitalato, Hagogohe, Halia, Peit, Tonsu, Haku, Selau, Suir, Teua, Mahari, Taonita Teop and Taonita Tinputz.

For Buka town residents, inside the Tsitalato constituency, polling by limited preferential voting (LPV) would be located at the following venues:

*Today – Buka town market, Iuping Tsuhana, Chinchin;

*Tomorrow – Bel Isi Haus,  Hangan Catholic church, Lonahan CLC Haus Lotu;

*Thursday – Motmoto Elementary School, Bubuil Elementary School, Lonahan aid post;

*Friday – University open campus and Bibinama.

Bougainville electoral officer Reitama Taravaru said he anticipated a smooth by-election with counting to start immediately as constituencies complete polling.

Polling ends on Friday.

Meanwhile, Taravaru also revealed that the Tonsu by-election for Bougainville would cost the Autonomous Bougainville Government K170,000.

The ABG Tonsu by-election would be conducted immediately after the by-election for North Bougainville.

The people of Tonsu constituency will elect a new open member.

O’Neill: Our aim is a stable and robust economy

TREASURER Peter O'Neill assured Australian and Papua New Guinean private sector players that the government was committed to creating a strong and robust economy by providing a stable and conducive environment for business investment in PNG, The National reports.

The assurance came after the government achieved a record budget surplus of K186.3 million equating 0.7% of the gross domestic product (GDP) this year as a result of prudent fiscal management and effective implementation of the 2011 national budget.

Speaking at the 27th PNG-Australia Business Forum and Trade Expo in Madang yesterday, O'Neill said: "PNG can achieve real economic independence because of the anticipated economic growth.

"The partnership with the private sector will ensure this growth will be sustained."

O'Neill announced the total revenue and grants for last year was lower K8, 278.9 million, higher by K34.4 million of the revised budget estimates.

He said the total expenditure and net lending last year was lower by K151.9 million of the revised budget for, thus giving a surplus of K186.3 million, a significant achievement given budget deficits in 2008 and 2009.

Updating on the 2011 budget outcome, he said by the end of last month, 60% of the recurrent budget and 40% of the development budget warrant had been released to agencies.

"This is a significant achievement and it's now the responsibility of agencies to deliver the governments agenda," O'Neill said.

"The government needs to manage its finance prudently to ensure that demands for cash are met but also to ensure that the cash that is released is used to deliver services and does not end up sitting idly in the bank accounts."

The treasurer informed the private sector that the government was aware of the importance of successfully implementing the budget for communities and families.

He said, this year, the government would ensure that funding was available in the timely manner to ensure

delivery of services throughout PNG.

The former opposition leader stressed that while outlook for this year was very positive with expected growth by 8% largely due to ramp up of PNG LNG construction, non-mining GDP was also expected to grow by 8.2%  which would provide a significant boost to activity in other sectors of the economy, with rising incomes and consumptions from businesses and households.

Despite the growth, O'Neill said unfortunately inflation remained one of the key challenges for the government.

He said the government was committed to contain the high inflation rate of 8.2% by maintaining its expenditure with budget appropriations while closely monitoring monetary policy in particular the currency and interest rate movement and reserve deposits equipment.

National Alliance split over leadership

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

THE ruling National Alliance appears split over the much talked-about party interim leadership issue, The National reports.

Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal, who was appointed by Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, had dismissed a push by certain members of the NA party for the interim leadership issue to be taken before the party caucus.

The National understood that there was a series of meetings held last week by the NA party on the interim leadership issue but insiders said that had been thrown back to the regional groups to decide.

Party sources said the interim leadership "is for an interim political head of NA to call party

meetings while the party leader is away".

Sources said Abal was appointed to head the government but the NA party needed an interim political leader to call caucus meetings.

"There is no vacancy and the party constitution is very explicit on the leadership issue. But this is an interim arrangement and consistent with the constitution," the source said.

The Southern region and New Guinea Islands were believed to have met last week and had resolved to back Aitape-Lumi MP Patrick Pruaitch if the interim leadership issue goes before the party caucus.

The Momase bloc, under Pruaitch, had decided to defer the meeting, preferring to wait for the return of Sir Michael.

The highlands bloc, which was yet to meet, was in a dilemma with Don Polye as deputy leader and the job of acting prime minister vested in fellow Engan and highlands bloc member Abal.

Last week, Polye dismissed media reports as "sensationalising the whole leadership issue" but the fact remained that there had been a number of meetings held by the NA.

"It is absolutely not good and inhuman to talk about the leadership issue when the party leader and prime minister is undergoing medical attention," Abal told the media yesterday.

Abal, who was there with Attorney-General and Justice Minister Sir Arnold Amet, said the prime minister, like all other officers of government, "is entitled to medical leave and Sir Michael has accrued leave entitlements which he is taking".

He said there was too much speculation by the media, saying: "There will be no election of an interim party leader.

"We are talking about pulling the carpet under his (prime minister) feet while he is undergoing medical operations and recovery," Abal said.

He said it was not good, under PNG customs and traditions, to talk about somebody "who is down with health conditions".

"I call on the leaders to abstain from talking about the party leadership issue. Let us give it a break for some time.

"I came in as the choice of the prime minister to lead government. I am doing just that and I will do it with my colleagues in government.

"On the leadership issue, I do not think it is timely for the decision to be made.

"Let us give it a break and allow the prime minister and NA party leader to recover."