New antivenom will save lives in Papua New Guinea

Caption: David Williams (right) and Owen Paiva with a Papua taipan

 

For the past several years, a small group of Papua New Guinean researchers, led by an Australian scientist, working inside a modest unassuming brick building in a quiet corner of the University of PNG's Taurama Medical School have helped develop a new treatment for one of PNG's most-neglected public health problems.

This week their work has emerged into the international spotlight following publication in a prestigious medical journal of the first results in the testing of a new Papuan taipan snake antivenom which is hoped will save hundreds of lives every year.

Papua New Guinea has some of the highest snakebite rates anywhere in the world, and in some parts of Central Province, the mortality rate is several times higher than malaria, TB and pneumonia death rates, largely because a lack of interest in the problem has made access to safe, effective treatments scarce, and unaffordable.

The high cost of imported Australian antivenoms has made it increasingly difficult for the PNG Government to meet the demand, and has contributed to a black market in these products which often sees them stolen from hospitals and sold illegally for up to US$3,200.

This may soon all change, as researchers from the University of Papua New Guinea collaborating with scientists from the University of Costa Rica and The University of Melbourne's Australian Venom Research Unit (AVRU) and Nossal Institute for Global Health, announced the successful preclinical testing of a new, low cost Papuan taipan antivenom, that not only offers a sustainable solution to the problem, but provides the opportunity for Papua New Guinea to eventually produce its own antivenoms.

Results of the WHO-recommended preclinical assessment tests of the new antivenom have been published this month in the open access journal, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases (www.plosntds.org).

They show that the new antivenom, manufactured by the University of Costa Rica's Instituto Clodomiro Picado, effectively neutralises the lethal effects of taipan venom in laboratory tests, and is suitable for human trials.

The project was initiated by AVRU and Nossal Institute for Global Health snakebite researcher, David Williams who has studied snakebite in PNG for a decade, and long championed the goal of empowering PNG to produce its own antivenoms.

"Snakebite is a curable illness that only continues to kill and maim people around the world because it fails to return profits to drug companies" Mr Williams said.

"Access to safe, affordable medicines is a basic human right, and our focus is to give that right back to the victims of snakebite in PNG".

In Port Moresby, personnel from AVRU and the University of PNG collaborate to jointly run the research Serpentarium where Papuan taipans are kept to produce the venom used to make the new antivenom.

UPNG Researcher, Owen Paiva, who manages the Serpentarium with reptile keeper Jasper Gabugabu, said "plans are already being discussed to begin the next phase of the local capacity building which will see training of more PNG scientists in antivenom production, and the development of facilities to enable antivenom to be produced locally."

Financing this work is an urgent priority.

The project has received good support from the Office of Higher Education, Mr Paiva said, but in order to scale up to conduct human clinical trials, further fieldwork to collect more taipans for venom production, and laboratory experiments, dedicated funding needs to be obtained.

Australian Venom Research Unit Director, Dr Ken Winkel said "The partnership between the three Universities involved in the project is a landmark example of how international cooperation can help to solve the challenge of delivering, high quality, effective antivenoms to developing world nations".

Achieved with minimal specific research funding to date, the project is a blueprint for developing new antivenoms for other regions of the world with similar problems to PNG.

"AVRU and its partners in PNG and Costa Rica have shown that an affordable, potent antivenom to one of the world's most lethal snakes, the Papuan taipan can be produced for less than US$100 per dose by adopting a humanitarian approach to drug development" he said.

 "In Africa and Asia effective doses of antivenom can cost many hundreds of dollars, and even then the quality of some products is quite poor, leading to a high risk of potentially dangerous side effects. Our approach to antivenom design may change that, and in this, PNG is one of the country's leading the way".

The concept of producing antivenoms to meet PNG's needs through an applied research institution based at the UPNG School of Medicine & Health Sciences follows closely the model used by the Instituto Clodomiro Picado in Costa Rica, which is itself, an autonomous research institute of the University of Costa Rica.

Its original role of meeting the antivenom needs of its own country have grown since it was founded; now placing it at the forefront of efforts to address snakebite problems in the developing world.

These are contributions which the World Health Organisation recognised this week, awarding the Instituto Clodomiro Picado the coveted "Dr Lee Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health" at the 64^th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

"We congratulate our Costa Rican colleagues for this important recognition of their work on behalf of not just their own people, but also snakebite victims in Africa, Asia and of course, here in Papua New Guinea" said Professor Teatulohi Matainaho, Dean of Research at UPNG.

"The recognition by WHO shows just how important and valuable to the health of nations, sustainable projects such as this can be", Professor Matainaho said.

David Williams agrees "PNG has the capacity to surmount the challenges of producing antivenom locally, and in addition to providing local scientists with valuable training and employment possibilities, this project will greatly improve the research capacity of the School of Medicine & Health Sciences, while at the same time meeting the need for affordable, sustainable supplies of an important essential medicine."

Dr Matainaho said "This research collaboration promotes UPNG's strategic research mission to develop and carry out research that has direct and practical applications to improving the health of our people, and also supports the greater vision of the Science and Technology Initiative of the PNG Office of Higher Education."

The research team are now working to raise the funding to commence human trials of the new taipan antivenom in Port Moresby later this year.

 

 Organisations interested in supporting their work should contact David Williams (david.williams@unimelb,edu.au) from the UPNG-AVRU Snakebite Research Project.

For more information please contact:

David Williams: 76719476 or by email: david.williams@unimelb.edu.au

Teatulohi Matainaho: 72026997

Ken Winkel: +61 3 83447753

Owen Paiva: 71030810

Photographic images are available on request in 300 dpi JPG or TIF format: please email David Williams if these are required.

Windjammer burns

 A huge crowd making a beeline to the burning Windjammer Beach Motel in Wewak, East Sepik, on Sunday afternoon, The National reports.
The fire allegedly started from the burning of  a pile of old dockets outside the bar area.
Extensive damage was reported along the eastern wing that housed the kitchen, offices, entertainment areas, conference and bar facilities.
Owner Sir Hugo Bergusher was partly burnt and reportedly knocked unconscious by a burning timber.
Looters and opportunists also had a field day breaking into rooms and stealing refrigerators, TV sets, chairs, beds and mattresses. – Nationalpic by GYNNIE KERO

Bankers aided to improve services

INTERNATIONAL Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, is helping bankers in the Pacific Islands improve financial products and services for small and medium enterprises, allowing entrepreneurs to obtain financing for their businesses   more easily, The National reports.

IFC, in collaboration with the governments of Australia, Japan, the Netherlands and New Zealand, is training more than 20 bankers from 13 institutions from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Solomon Islands in building sustainable banking operations to support small and medium businesses.

The three-day training programme in Port Moresby – IFC's first in the Pacific – covers strategy and market segmentation, product design, credit-risk management, and information management systems.  

"Small and medium businesses are the backbone of the economy," Loi Bakani, Governor of the Bank of PNG, said.

 "Hence, IFC's efforts to help close the financing gap by providing banks with practical knowledge to better understand and serve small entrepreneurs are extremely important."

 The training is part of IFC's Global SME Banking Advisory Services Programme, which aims to help banks in emerging markets assess the potential benefits of and target the needs of small and medium enterprises and to expand this line of business.  

"Often small and medium enterprises fund their own operations and struggle to grow their businesses," IFC manager for the Pacific, Gavin Murray, said.

"By helping banks develop solutions for smaller enterprises to increase productivity and expand their operations, IFC is supporting economic growth and job creation across the region."

IFC also has conducted similar trainings in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, and Europe and Central Asia

Kiunga-Hiritano highway gets OK

BY JASON GIMA WURI

 

THE Trans-Island Highway (stage two) road project agreement, which will run 600km between Kiunga in Western and Central's Hiritano and through three provinces, has been given the go-ahead by the national government, landowners and developer Independent Timbers and Stevedoring Ltd, The National reports.

Western Deputy Governor James Ukin said the project was a long time coming but it had finally arrived for the people of Western and southern region.

The highway would run through Western, Gulf and Central provinces.

 "This project has taken eight years of negotiations and, at last, the government has approved it," Ukin said.

"We thank the developer who willingly came in and assisted us with more than K30 million to do feasibility studies to meet the requirements of all line departments including lands, forest, transport and works, commerce, trade and industry and civil aviation.

"Western is the largest province but parts of it have not been developed since independence.

"In fact, the people are dying, they are still fighting each other and practise cannibalism.

"Since independence, no good development had taken place although the Ok Tedi mine is there," Ukin said.

He said basic services like schools, health centres and markets to sell their fresh produce were hard to access by the rural people.

"The road project is very important to link the people to better services.

"The national and provincial governments will not put any money on this project.

"Two major bridges will be built from 100 tonnes of brick across the Fly River and Strickland River," Ukin said.

Minister for Commerce and Industry Gabriel Kapris, who was at the signing ceremony, said it was the sheer determination of the landowners who wanted to trade off their resources for access to roads and sustainable development in agriculture by agreeing with a developer to harvest forest within the road corridors for a second phase of the trans-national highway.

The highway would also open up links to Gulf, Southern Highlands and West Sepik.

Kapris urged all stakeholders to proceed with the implementation of the project as per the spirit of the agreement to ensure the project benefits were derived for the landowners, developer, province and the country.

Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio signed the agreement on behalf of the state with the Fly River provincial government, North East West Investment Ltd, Kebogas Investment Ltd, Tosigiba Timber Group Ltd, PNG Agency for International Development and developer IT&S Ltd.

Historical 9 to work in Australian farms

By ANCILLA WRAKUALE

 

NINE men made history yesterday by becoming the first Papua New Guineans to leave for Australia to work as seasonal workers, The National reports.

The men will be involved in pruning almond trees in Robinvale, Victoria, for four months.

PNG seasonal workers task force committee chairman Alexis Maino said it took some time for the pilot project to start but he was happy to see the first contingent of seasonal workers off to Australia yesterday.

Maino told reporters yesterday more locals would leave to work in Australia if they were needed.

He said the pilot scheme was made possible after the signing of a memorandum of understanding last July in Alotau during the PNG Australia bilateral meeting between then foreign affairs minister Sam Abal and his Australian counterpart Stephen SmithMaino said they secured a K1 million funding from the Department of Finance and Treasury for the pilot scheme.

He said the workers would be paid between A$18 and A$19 (K46-K48.50) an hour.

Department of Labour secretary George Vaso said it was an exciting time as the country exported labour for the first time since independence.

He urged the men to be good ambassadors of PNG while in Australia.

"Be of good behaviour and character, work hard and come back as good ambassadors," Vaso said.

Acting Deputy Australian High Commissioner Adrian Lochrin thanked the task force team, saying it was quite a task given the enormous interest shown.

He encouraged the men to do well as their performance would determine similar interest in future.

Lochrin said PNG was known for its farming and living in communities and hoped that the men would fit in well with the Victorian community.

Workers team leader Nickson Peni said they were happy for the opportunity and promised to work hard and be good ambassadors of PNG.

Ex-Miss PNG fights pornography claims

One arrested at city mall during bid to blackmail TV presenter

DETECTIVES arrested a 23-year-old man in a mall while attempting to extort money and sex from TV journalist and former Miss PNG Antonia Singut in Port Moresby on Saturday, police said in a statement yesterday, The National reports.

A Martin Wojeiba, of Rosun village, Manus, was arrested and charged with possessing pornographic materials.

According to Singut, numerous threats had been received by her and her immediate family since February.

The threats related to allegations that Singut had been involved in a pornographic video and that callers wanted money from her.

She said yesterday the allegations were the work of people trying to defame her standing in the public.

She said: "I strongly refute these allegations.

Singut said: "As a former Miss PNG and TV presenter, as well as a role model in the community, I am mindful of my activities and whom I associate with.

"Such malicious allegations contradict the Christian values I stand for and the upbringing my parents have instilled in me."

She said it all started when a caller claimed he had in his possession a video tape of her and her boyfriend.

"I told him he was wasting my time as I had not participated in any activities of the sort," she said.

Singut said her family had been greatly affected as a result. 

Father, Brian Singut, denied his daughter's involvement.

"It is very sad that our children have to grow up in this cruel world," he said, expressing concern about his daughter's security. 

"By God's grace, my family has survived this ordeal for the past four to five months ... from sick human beings with malicious intent to destroy my daughter's reputation," he said.

Singut filed a police complaint after receiving malicious telephone calls and emails accusing her of taking part in a pornographic video tape.

Officer-in-charge of the sexual offence squad Tinol Pakiapon said the woman in the sex tape "is not Singut".

He said anyone caught circulating malicious rumours or attempting to blackmail or extort money from the victim would be arrested.

Pakiapon said the suspect was caught by police inside the Vision City Mega Mall.

Unaware of the police sting, the suspect met and showed her the video on his phone while demanding K500 as well as sex.

"He was quickly overpowered and arrested by policemen in civilian clothing who had arrived earlier in the shopping complex," he said.

Pakiapon said the suspect faced further charges relating to attempted blackmail and extortion.

Another man of mixed Filipino and Central parentage was only warned after police could not find the tape in his possession.

Police are trying to locate a woman identified as Louisa Hainter, who allegedly posted defamatory remarks against Singut on the social network Facebook.

Pakiapon is appealing to anyone who may know the whereabouts of Hainter to contact the sexual offences squad at the Boroko police station on 324 4257.

Hearty welcome

Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal was given a hearty welcome on Saturday when he arrived in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville to present K3 million for the upgrading and sealing of roads, The National reports.
The Buka ring road received K2 million while K1 million was for the 20km Kokopau to Siera road.
The presentation took place at Kokopau in the Selau constituency of North Bougainville.
The acting PM also apologised for what had happened in the past and publicly declared: "Bougainville, we love you, the rest of PNG loves you. Sorry for the past that has happened but there is that decision to move forward to a brighter future." – Nationalpic by STEPHANIE ELIZAH

Empty house

19 ministers missing, no one to hear grievances

 

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

THE whole front bench of government was empty with only 14 of the 33 ministers present during the parliament session last Friday, The National reports. 

This has drawn criticisms from both within government backbench and the opposition that some of the arguments presented during grievance debate would not be taken seriously and a waste of time.

Abau MP Sir Puka Temu said it was a "sad day" for Papua New Guinea with the whole government front bench empty.

The empty front bench is usually filled by the prime minister, deputy prime minister, finance and treasury minister, justice minister and attorney-general and commerce and industry minister.

The only other key ministers present included leader of government business and National Planning Minister Paul Tiensten, Foreign Affairs Minister Don Polye, Forest Minister Timothy Bonga and Fisheries Minister Ben Semri.

Sir Puka said there were 33 ministers of state and only a handful present to hear grievance from members.

"The whole front bench is empty.

"Our people deserve a hearing of the executive government.

"The people's house must be an active house.

"How can state ministers hear our grievance and put things into action?"

Sir Puka said there must be a select parliamentary committee that must sit down and address very important suggestions and ideas brought forward by members of parliament.

"How can we change the laws relating to the resources? We must have the select parliamentary committee go through the debate and if it means bringing in amendments to parliament, it must be done," Sir Puka said.

Lae MP Bart Philemon also hit out at the empty government bench, including physically making a head count of ministers on the floor of parliament.

"Fourteen ministers present out of 33. It is a shame to see the front bench empty."

Philemon said in the Australian federal parliament, the front bench was always full.

"What is the difference between Australia and Papua New Guinea? What a shame!"

Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru said it was disappointing that state ministers were not present to hear the MPs' grievances.

"The front bench disappointingly is not in parliament to hear the debate.

"It is the only opportunity for us MPs to debate issues and ministers to take note."

Agiru also called on each minister to bring to parliament their performance report during their terms as ministers and also challenged the provincial governors to do the same.

Agiru urges review on forest legislation

SOUTHERN Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru has called for a review of the Forestry Act to allow equity participation instead of landowners being mere royalty collectors, The National reports.

Agiru, in a series of questions to Forest Minister Timothy Bonga, called for a moratorium on issuing of new forestry and fishing licences to ensure there were enough resources available for future generations.

"The people are mere recipients of logging levy and royalties.

"Can the minister introduce amendments to the Forestry Act for landowners to become equity participants in the sector?

"In that way, landowners will participate meaningfully in the development of their resources instead of being just recipients of royalties," he said.

Bonga said a review of the Forestry Act was long overdue and promised to bring amendments to parliament for landowners to be equity partners in projects.

"We have to sit down with landowners and all other stakeholders to bring amendments that will give greater recognition to landowners and for them to become equity partners instead of royalty collectors," he said.

Agiru followed that up during grievance debate by thanking Bonga for making a commitment to review forestry laws.

"We are allowing foreigners to rape our forests and I am glad that the minister has made a commitment to revisit and bring in amendments to the forest sector to allow our people equal participation in the development of their resources," he said.

He said this must apply to the fisheries sector "where millions of kina are being squandered leaving resource owners with nothing".

Agiru, in a statement that got cheers and claps from the members on the floor and the public gallery, said customary land was "being sold away and that must be discouraged".

He said in Southern Highlands, the provincial government had made it clear that no customary land must be sold to outside interests.

Such land can be leased.

"That is the only asset our people have and I thank former lands minister Sir Puka Temu for bringing in legislations to safeguard customary land."

Agiru said the LNG project would sustain the economy over the next 30 years.

"Why don't we reserve our forest or our fish for the future?

"We should not be forever friends with our overseas development partners.

"The PNG economy will realise K130 billion in the 30-year life of the LNG project.

"Why can't we ride on the LNG money and preserve our fisheries and forest resources for the future generations?" Agiru asked.

Unions want K125 million repaid before July 31

TRANSPORT sector unions have given the government until July 31 to repay K125 million of contributors funds back to Nasfund, The National reports.

The National Airline Employees Association, the National Air Pilots Union, Aircraft Engineers Association and the Maritime and Transport Workers Union issued a joint statement on the controversial issuance of Sovereign Community Infrastructure Treasury Bills by Nasfund.

Sector union leaders John Mahuk (PNGM & TWU), Edward Foe (NAEA), Captain Joseph Kumasi (NAPU) and Geoffrey Atiken called on the Ombudsman Commission to investigate the ministers involved.

The demands from the transport sector unions included:

*An independent bo­dy to conduct investigations and for the government to immediately repay the K125 million with 7.05% interest by July 31;

*Those responsible for the disbursement of the funds must face criminal charges and an interim board be set-up with fair representation because the workers had lost trust and confidence in the management and the running of Nasfund by the current board;

*Senior ministers in­volved should be referred to the Ombudsman Commission;

*A remedial plan be immediately put in place to stop unnecessary use of contributors funds; and,

*That if the money earmarked for the Ko­ko­po project has been misappropriated and used to start new businesses then the contributors should have allocated shares.

On behalf of the transport sector unions, Mahuk said their interest was to safeguard the members' funds and they did not want to see a repetition of Nasfund board's "mismanagement and misguided ambition to satisfy the government and its needs".

"Members have not forgotten the 15% write-down being experienced some years back due to mismanagement of the superannuation funds," he added.

Fish feed to boost industry

FISH farmers in Papua New Guinea, especially those who specialise in trout and tilapia farming, are set to improve  production with fish feed to be made available soon, The National reports.

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) in collaboration with Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the Department of Agriculture and Livestock had researched and formulated a feed using local ingredients.

Trialling of this feed under farming conditions in the past five years had resulted in the semi-commercial production of fish feed.

In the past, feed, especially for trout, was imported from overseas until recently.

With the increased number of fish farming activities happening around the country, the demand for a proper fish feed had increased.

NFA and its partners have been working to address the demand through the establishment of mini-feed mills and research and development to  find a locally available, affordable and nutritious fish feed.

NFA displayed the innovative products during the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) show earlier this month in Lae to promote fisheries and marine resources activities.

During the show, NFA displayed several 25kg bags of fish feed which was eye-catching for the fish farmers.

The farmers were so keen to learn  the techniques, the ingredients, equipment the processes involved.

NFA's aquaculture and inland fisheries division, responsible for fresh water aquaculture and inland fish farming, is taking the lead in this development, headed by pioneer aquaculturist Jacob Wani.

Currently, the number of fish farming activities – both fresh water and marine areas – have increased overwhelmingly as a result of NFA's support to the fish farmers through the project development fund.    

The NARI show had given opportunities for NFA to participate and promote innovation in fisheries and also to carry out awareness regarding NFA project development funding (PDF) activities.

It also gave an opportunity for NFA to liaise with provincial fisheries division and the fisheries cooperatives, especially the fishermen and fish farmers to showcase their products at the show and meet the fish buyers to supply fisheries products.  

Ok Tedi women go into business

Caption: Women of Lower Ok Tedi posing in front of their new buses which they handed over to Lower Ok Tedi Investment Limited to be used at OTML's Bige dredging project.

 

Women living in areas that are being affected by the operations of the Ok Tedi mine are now investing in business opportunities for their long term benefit.

And a call has been made for more women in those regions to follow suit after women of Lower Ok Tedi through their Nima Ara Women's Association handed over two new buses to help transport workers at Ok Tedi's dredging project at Bige.

The buses, one a 15-seater and the other a 25-seater, were handed over to Lower Ok Tedi Investment Limited (LOTIC) on May 9 in a small but significant ceremony.

Nima Ara is a women's association within the community mine continuation agreement (CMCA) region.

 LOTIC is a landowner company which has been engaged by OTML to provide logistical support to its Bige operation.

Bige is one of Ok Tedi Mining Limited's operating bases where the dredging project is located.

Ok Tedi Fly River Development Program (OTFRDP) executive manager for support services Ben Kamaya said this was the first such arrangement women of mine-impacted regions have embarked on.

He said OTFRDP was committed to supporting women and children of the mine-impacted communities by helping provide various income-earning opportunities for them.

"I want to say thank you to LOTIC and OTML for giving the women this opportunity," he said.

"This is the first for all the eight associations within the CMCA to be involved as far as business opportunities are concerned.

"Nima Ara is actually setting the pace by going into an arrangement like this and this demonstrates the confidence you have in LOTIC and to invest your resources into.

"I believe these two investments are good and will bring good returns to support women within the association.

"I would like to challenge the association to make sure that the earnings you receive from these investments are spent on programs that will benefit women."

OTML executive manager for Kiunga and Bige operations, Derrick Kelly said the new buses would now provide some relief to the logistical needs of Bige and would provide safe travel for workers to and from work.

The buses were bought from funds allocated under the 10% CMCA Women and Children's Fund earmarked for women in the Wai Tri Trust.

In 2007 the mine-impacted communities together with OTML agreed that 10% of the K1.1 billion earmarked under the CMCA would be set aside every year to support women and children.

Ok Tedi eases school’s housing problem

Caption: The new house built for Ningerum Primary school

 

The government-owned Ningerum Primary School has received another facility at its campus – thanks to Ok Tedi Mining Limited.

This time it is a modern high-set teacher's house, built at a cost of K200, 000.

The school, located at Ningerum station on the Tabubil-Kiunga highway, services the township and surrounding villages. 

And in an added bonus to the local communities, the contract for building the house had been awarded to their own landowner company, Hore Binkia.

Head teacher Henry Gugu was grateful to OTML for recognising and addressing the school's need for more teachers' houses.

"The only houses we have are three institutional houses that are in the school," he said.

"The rest are government houses.

"And we rely heavily on the district administration for houses."

OTML community support executive manager Leonard Lagisa who handed over the house to the school said the new house signified OTML's continued commitment to the affected communities in the Highway region and the improvement of important services in education and health.

He said a lot of money had been generated from the Ok Tedi mine but there was still no tangible development taking place in the province.

He said OTML could assist in a little way but it was the responsibility of all stakeholders including communities to work together for the improvement of service delivery.

OTML would want to see more infrastructure development taking place in the province.

Funding for the three-bedroom high timber house came from OTML's mine waste tailings project  (MWTP) which was initiated in 2006 after OTML and Tabubil-Kiunga highway villagers agreed for a pyrite concentrate pipeline to be built from the Ok Tedi mill facilities along the road to Bige where special pits are located under the water bed to contain the waste.

OTML has allocated K2.1 million for community infrastructure projects under the MWTP.

 So far six teachers' houses and two aid posts have already been built in various villages while another two double classrooms, a library and two teachers' houses are under construction.

APEC combats corruption with new code of ethics

Issued by the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group

Big Sky, Montana, 22 May 2011 – APEC has adopted a first-ever code of ethics for the region's medical devices industry.

The principles will improve the quality of patient care, encourage innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs that produce medical devices.

The Kuala Lumpur (KL) Principles for Medical Device Sector Codes of Business Ethics were endorsed by APEC SME Ministers at their 2011 Ministerial Meeting, in Big Sky, Montana.

"Once implemented, the KL Principles will help APEC member economies develop codes of ethics for their respective medical devices sectors," said Michael Camuñez, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance.

"The codes will help eliminate corruption, one of the most insidious trade barriers facing SMEs throughout the APEC region," he added.

APEC member economies developed the principles in response to last year's call by APEC's SME Ministers to assist members in improving the often fragmented and complex business ethics rules and practices that exist across the region.

"Ethical practices ensure health care decisions are based on the best interests of patients and promote patient access to life-saving medical technologies," Camuñez said.

"This is done by providing companies with clear parameters to guide conduct, as detailed in the five basic tenets of the KL Principles: integrity, independence, appropriateness, transparency and advancement."

Medical devices industry representatives note that unethical behaviour substantially increases the costs of doing business through the payment of penalties. Corruption lowers sales growth and productivity, inhibits the ability to enter new markets, and constricts access to capital. The World Bank estimates that corruption costs the world's private sector about US $1 trillion dollars annually.

Saving money by tackling corruption also boosts innovation by freeing up resources for research and development investments. Ultimately, both SMEs and patients benefit from better-designed and better-built medical devices.

 "Innovation in this sector is not an accident. Investment in research and development represents 12 percent of the sector's revenue—four times the manufacturer average," Camuñez said. "With more resources freed up to invest in R&D and innovation, the sector will benefit from even greater growth."

The resulting growth of SMEs is essential to APEC economies, where SMEs account for over 90 percent of all businesses and employ as much as 60 percent of the region's workforce.

"The code of ethics is expected serve as a model for other industries," said Camuñez.

The APEC SME Working Group agreed to develop principles for the region's construction and bio-pharmaceutical sectors.

The APEC SME Ministerial is held annually by the APEC host economy to encourage the development of small and medium enterprises and to build their capacity to engage in international trade.

# # #

For more information, contact:  Augustine Kwan +65 9831 0717 at ak@apec.org or Michael Chapnick +65 9647 4847 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 SME Ministers encourage green, innovative, competitive policies

Big Sky, Montana, 21 May 2011 – APEC Ministers responsible for the region's small and medium enterprises (SMEs)considered policies and initiatives to foster greener, more innovative and competitive small businesses.

 

Recognizing the importance of SMEs and entrepreneurs to the development of the Asia-Pacific region, APEC Ministers are determined to:

 

?     Embrace business ethics to enhance SMEs' competitiveness

?     Promote SMEs' use of new technologies to reduce the costs of doing business; and

?     Identify policies to support green SMEs

The joint statement of the 2011 APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting can be accessed at:

 

http://www.apec.org/en/Meeting-Papers/Ministerial-Statements/Small-and-Medium-Enterprise/2011_sme.aspx

 

                                                                        # # #

 

For more information, contact:  Augustine Kwan +65 9831 0717 at ak@apec.org or Michael Chapnick +65 9647 4847 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 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.