PO Box 1764, Port Moresby
6th Floor, Monian Tower, Douglas St. Port Moresby
Ph: +675 3213077 or +675 3213254 Fax: +675 321 3251
Email: pomcci@global.net.pg
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Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce
and Industry
PO Box 1764, Port Moresby 6th Floor, Monian Tower, Douglas St. Port Moresby Ph: +675 3213077 or +675 3213254 Fax: +675 321 3251 Email: pomcci@global.net.pg |
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2005 |
24 NOV 2005
This is to advise that the POMCCI in conjunction with Commonwealth Association of Corporate Governance is conducting a 2 Day Introductory Company Director Workshop. Details of the workshop as follows:-
Workshop Facilitators: Mr David Conn - Port Moresby
Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Mr Peter Dickson - Dedicated Management Ltd
Topics Covered:
- Corporate Governance - Overview
- Board Dynamics - Role of CEO, Board etc
- Improving Board Process
- Strategy and Role of Board
- Risk Management Issues and Board Role
- Accounting and Assessing Company Performance
- Operating Environment - Understanding "Big Picture"
- Legal Environment - PNG Company Law
Date: Thursday 8th and Friday 9th December, 2005
Time: 9am to 4pm
Course Fees:
Pomcci Members - K700.00
Non - Members - K800.00
Members:
The following website may be of interest to you. It ranks PNG with 154 other countries for ease of doing business. The Government is committed to improving these statistics and working through IPA it is hoped there will be good news in this regard in the forthcoming 2006 Budget.
President
In the new 2006 Doing Business report from the World Bank, Serbia and
Montenegro was named as the world’s top reformer among 155 countries in
improving its business environment (www.doingbusiness.org/Main/TopReformer2006.aspx).
Among the accomplishments in the Republic of Serbia, the capital requirement
for starting a new business was cut from 5,000 euros to 500. The time to
start a new business was reduced from 51 days to 15. The number of new
registered firms in 2004 jumped by 42% over 2003.
1. SEFTI PNG CONFERENCE
The PNG Occupational Health and Safety Association Annual Conference
(13th) and Trade Fair will be held on the 20th October 2005. The
theme of the conference is “Occupational Safety, Health and Environment
are Everyone’s Business.” The conference will be held at the Holiday
Inn. For those who wish to present a paper or attend the conference
please refer to the attachments.
2. MOTOR TRAFFIC DRIVING RULES
If you don’t already have a copy of the above handbook you can call
in at the Chamber office at Level 6, Monian Tower and get yourself a complimentary
copy. These handbooks are also on sale at MVIL for K3.00. Remember
road safety starts with you.
3. RAMU PROJECT
An Agreement between Ramu and (MCC) Metallurgical Construction Corporation
of China will be signed in October 2005. Attached is an update
on the Ramu Project courtesy of Highlands Pacific.
4. OVTA
The Chamber is happy to announce that the Overseas Vocational Training
Association (OVTA) of Japan will once again be sponsoring free courses
on Introductory to Basic IT & Business and Networking. These
courses are scheduled to start in October to December 2005. You will
be advised of the dates once details are available.
5. WEBSITE RENEWALS
If you advertise on our Website and have not paid your renewal for
2005 please do so. The Chamber would appreciate your payment before
the end of October 2005. For ease of reference the Chamber will send
copies of your invoices again.
6. MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
Whilst the majority have paid up their membership for 2005, there are
a few out there who are yet to do so. If you have not renewed please
forward your payment before the end of October 2005. If you wish
not to renew please advise us by email your reasons for our records.
Kumul Foundation:
Launch of petition against exemption of MPs from dismissal,
and increase in MPs 'slush funds'
Members and friends of the Kumul Foundation.
Like most Papua New Guineans, the Foundation is extremely concerned
regarding two proposed legislative amendments - The first seeks to
exempt MPs from dismissal from office; the second seeks to raise MPs 'slush
funds' from K500,000 to K1,500,000 starting 2006. The Kumul Foundation
feels that both amendments run contrary to the interests of the people
of Papua New Guinea because if passed, the amendments will have the effect
of encouraging corruption in the political arena to remain and flourish
and continue to impede national
development.
The Kumul Foundation is supporting the efforts of the Community Coalition against Corruption campaign to mobilise community opposition to the passage of these two amendments. Accordingly, we attach a petition and background information on these changes, which have been prepared by Transparency International and the Media Council of PNG. [This will also be loaded onto our website <http://www.kumul.org> www.kumul.org and is available for download.
Please, as you do with all KF emails, send this email and the attached documents to as many people as possible.
Print out the attached documents and circulate them among your workmates, neighbours, family, relatives and friends. Please have as many people as possible sign the petition - print it out and get every occupant in your house to sign it; get your workmates to sign it; get the streetboys to sign it; get the passengers on your buses to sign it; get the other students in your classes to sign it - GET AS MANY PEOPLE TO SIGN IT AS POSSIBLE. Every signature is important - this is our country too.
You will notice that we have put the Kumul Foundation watermark on all the documents. We have done this so that Transparency International can monitor what petitions have come through the Kumul Foundation's network of young concerned Papua New Guineans nationwide so that everyone can have an idea as to the growing number and influence of young Papua New Guineans who are concerned and active about their country's future.
Again, please send this out to as many Papua New Guineans as possible. When you have completed the petition, please drop it off, post it or fax it to the Transparency International office at - 5th Floor Mogoru Moto Building, Champion Parade, PO Box 591 Port Moresby, NCD. Phone 320 2188 Fax 320 2189
Please note that the Kumul Foundation will also be monitoring who in
Parliament will be supporting or opposing these
amendments and we shall circulate that information to all.
The Chamber would like to apologies to you all for any double postings
on this issue.
1. INDEPENDENCE
This is to advise you all that Thursday 15th September has been approved
by the National Executive Council as an additional public holiday to Friday
16th, Independence Day. Attached is an instrument to be signed by
the Governor General for gazettal.
2. 2006 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Please keep note of the following dates which are gazetted as public holidays for 2006:-
Ø New Year’s Day
Sunday 1st January 2006
Ø
Monday 2nd January in lieu of New Year’s Day
Ø Good Friday
Friday 14th, April 2006
Ø Easter Sunday
Sunday 16th April 2006
Ø Easter Monday
Monday 17th April 2006
Ø National Remembrance Day
Tuesday 25th April 2006
Ø Queens Birthday
Monday 12th June 2006
Ø Independence Day
Saturday 16th September 2006
Ø Christmas Day
Monday 25th December 2006
Ø Boxing Day
Tuesday 26th December 2996
The Chamber would like to wish you all a Happy Independence and a
very safe long weekend.
1. FLY THE FLAG
In our 30th Anniversary year we encourage all businesses to show their support by flying the PNG Flag from their premises and in any other appropriate positions. FLY THE FLAG for PNG.
2. NCDC NOTICE
NCDC is appealing to all business houses and residential areas in Port Moresby for a cleaner, healthier and beautiful Port Moresby. Please refer to the public notice from the City Manager, Mr Peter Loko.
3. MEMBERSHIP
The Chamber would like to welcome aboard South Pacific Insurance Advisors who have taken up membership and would like to kindly remind those of you who are yet to renew for the year 2005, even if you are not renewing we would still like to hear from you with your reasons so we can alter our records accordingly. If you have changed your email addresses or if there is a change in the management we would appreciate if you can contact us of these changes as it is important for us to send our mails to the right people and correct email addresses.
As we usually do, we offer the following incentive to those businesses who are not members of POMCCI or have allowed their membership to lapse. Any business joining as a full member in the final quarter of 2005, will pay one year's full fees and membership will remain current to the end of 2006 - effectively 15 months for the price of 12.
4. BREAKFAST MEETING
The next breakfast meeting for the Chamber will be held on Thursday 25th August at the Crowne Plaza. Earlier on an email was sent out advising it would be held at the Holiday Inn however, due to circumstances beyond out control it will now be held at the Crowne Plaza.
Our guest speaker will be Ms Carolyn Blacklock, Regional Executive – Banking the Un-banked, ANZ Asia Pacific. Ms Blacklock will be speaking on “Rural & Remote Banking”.
5. WOMEN DOCTORS ASSOCIATION PNG
The Honorary Secretary of the Chamber, Ms Patricia Taureka is helping with the fundraising of the above association by selling tickets for their Charity Ball. Funds raised from this ball will go towards purchasing of a new therapy machine for the Radiotherapy Unit. Tickets are selling at K5000 for a corporate table for 10 or K500 for an individual. You can attend the function or make a donation towards this very worthy cause.
For further details please refer to the attached flyer or contact Ms
Taureka (ptaureka@posf.com.pg) at POSF Ltd to purchase a ticket.
6. FREIGHT FOR FIRE ENGINES
The Chamber would like to acknowledge funds received from British American
Tobacco and PNG Resources for the cost of freight for the fire engines
from Queensland Emergency Services. Other donations have been received
from the Kenmore Group of Companies and the Insurance Council as well as
the Chamber itself. We also acknowledge the support of Boroko Rotary
Club, Chief Container Services, and Port Services with the movement and
clearance etc of the engines. Current status of the machines is that
we are waiting for an official invoice from QES to make payment. We are
advised this will be sent soon and the engines will follow within the month.
7. A LAW AWARENESS FOR PNG
A book written by a young PNG Lawyer, Stanley Liria is on sale at the
Chamber office. The book is a guide to the Rule of Law and is selling
for K35 for one. If you wish to purchase a copy of the book you can
contact the Chamber on 321 3077.
8. PM’s OFFICIAL WORKING TRIP TO FIJI
The following message received from the PNGCCI may be of interest to those of you with business interests or an interest in doing business in Fiji.
"We have received a letter from Mr. Alois Tabereng, Acting Secretary of Dept. of Trade and Industry, regarding the Prime Minister's official working visit to Fiji on 26-31 August 2005.
Mr. Tabereng's letter read as:
We write to inform of the above visit by Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Michael Thomas Somare to Fiji on the dates as indicated and, at the same inform of the invitation by the Prime Minister for interested members of the private sector to be on the delegation.
Given time being of essence, we write to you with sure hope that your good office will have this information conveyed to members of your Chamber who may be interested in participating. In the process of informing them, please advise them accordingly that all costs relating to their participation should they be interested will be solely their responsibility.
Your prompt response to this regard will be much appreciated as we will have communication with the PNG High Commission in Fiji to organize relevant meeting for them with members of the private sector over in Fiji for them to meet. Further to that we will also have to relay the same information to the Prime Minister's Department who are coordinating the visit.
For those who are interested to participate, please contact DTI directly
at tel. no. 3256080 / 3256047 / 6859099 or fax. no. 3256108.
9. NCD PHYSICAL PLANNING
The NCD Physical Planning Board this week approved the final option
of the NCD Urban Development Plan (Map13B). It addresses some interesting
concepts for the city's development, especially with regard to an "economic
development corridor" towards Napa Napa, options for the Port and an "employment
block" in the Gordons area to address current zoning issues. A copy
is on display at NCD and at POMCCI. Once we have the electronic version
we will email it to all members. We thank all those who have contributed
to the process. The Plan will now go to the Chief Physical Planner
for approval and further legal process.
10. 30TH ANNIVERSARY MEDALS
PNGCCI is currently canvassing the business community for nominations
for the 30th Anniversary Medal. 50 medals are available to the business
community. If you wish to make a nomination please forward
it, with a brief CV, and reason for nomination to POMCCI and we can then
forward it as an official POMCCI nomination to the Council. Nominations,
for these awards sent direct will not be supported by POMCCI and will have
less chance of acceptance.
THURSDAY 19TH MAY, 2005
Members: Thank you for your support
of Wednesday's seminar on FOREX Controls hosted by the Central Bank.
The Chamber applauds the attempts by BPNG to liberalise these controls.
I believe the major disappointment for most attendees was the information
that the current K50,000 limit was still in place. Many would
suggest that until this issue is addressed there is very little change,
apart from putting the responsibilities on to the commercial banks.
We note this is not a BPNG issue but one which has to be addressed
by IRC to give full effect to this liberalisation. The Bank have
assured us that they are still in negotiation with IRC on this matter,
and the Chamber will also open dialogue with IRC to see the full effect
of this proposed
liberalisation is realised.
We thank PWC for the following summary of
the presentation which succinctly
lists the major points of the seminar.
President
POMCCI
*****************************************************************
INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY PRICE WATERHOUSE
COOPERS.
Dear Clients,
The Bank of Papua New Guinea ("BPNG") held an information session this morning on "The New Exchange Control Regime in Papua New Guinea". As reported in the press recently, the BPNG will be implementing a partial liberalisation of exchange controls. It was announced this morning that this partial liberalisation will implemented with effect from 1 June 2005.
It was announced at this morning's session that the following Foreign Exchange Controls will be liberalised (i.e. no longer subject to approval by the BPNG) with effect from 1 June 2005:
All current account transactions
All Government capital account transactions
All flows arising form approved private capital account contracts
All non-cash transfers of securities
The opening and operation of foreign currency accounts held with authorised
dealers in PNG (i.e. on-shore foreign currency accounts)
The following Foreign Exchange Controls are to remain in place at the present time:
Approval is required for any private capital account contracts to acquire or deal with an asset within or outside PNG ( ie the issue of equity to a non-resident or borrowing in a foreign currency).
Approval is required for the cash settlement of exchange and non-exchange listed securities requiring contracts (e.g., contract notes)
Approval is required to open and operate a foreign currency account outside PNG (i.e. offshore foreign currency accounts).
The current Tax Clearance Certificate system will remain in place, however it was noted that the Internal Revenue Commission ("IRC") was currently reviewing this system. This means that for foreign currency payments to non-residents where the payer has or will exceed the K50,000 threshhold, a Tax Clearance Certificate must still be obtained from the IRC prior to arranging for the remittance of the funds. The new exchange control regulations make the authorised dealers responsible for ensuring a Tax Clearance Certificate is held prior to the remittance to the non-resident being made.
The BPNG noted that the new regime is not subject to any transitional rules. Accordingly, the deferral of any transactions until after 1 June 2005 that would currently require BPNG approval should be considered. Where exchange control approvals have been submitted to the BPNG but not approved prior to 1 June 2005, transactions subject to the liberalisation can proceed from 1 June 2005 notwithstanding that the BPNG has not issued approval.
These changes will be implemented by way of new Foreign Exchange Control regulation being issued by the BPNG, however the new regulations was not provided at this morning's meeting. The BPNG noted that the existing Foreign Exchange Control regime will not repealed and can be re-implemented should the need arise.
Should you queries regarding these changes and how they may impact your business, please contact John Leahy or me in Port Moresby or Stephen Beach in Lae.
David Caradus
PWC
A soft copy is also available on our
website:
http://www.pwcglobal.com/extweb/pwcpublications.nsf/docid/BAD0C7910BC598ACCA256FF2006D8732
Should you require any further information,
please contact John Leahy, Stephen Beach, Nick Rowley, Deven Lodhia, Carl
Valentine, Thomas Taberia
David Caradus
Partner
elephone: + 675 321 1500
Fax: + 675 321 1428
email: david.caradus@pg.pwc.com
1. FIRE ENGINES FOR PORT MORESBY
The Chamber has received a request for help
from the PNG Fire Service for assistance in purchasing two fully reconditioned
fire engines through the Queensland Emergency Services (QES) in Brisbane.
Each unit can be purchased for AUD5,000.00,
so we are looking to raise a total of approx. K25,000, plus the cost of
freighting them from either Brisbane or Townsville, if we cannot get assistance
from shippers to do this. They will be imported so they do not incur
any duty or GST.
If you feel you would like to be involved
in this project or can assist in any way please contact the President on
Tel: 321 3077 Mob: 683 2055 or Email: daveconn1@global.net.pg.
2. PNGBANDWIDTH
- OPTUS LINK DOWN
We have received information, courtesy of
our ISP, that Tiare has been experiencing problems with an Optus
satellite link since early on 11th May. This has reduced the already limited
bandwidth from 8Mbs to 6Mbs. Telikom PNG is currently working on the problem.
Users will experience extreme performance problems (extremely slow) until
such time the failed link is restored by Telikom.
On a happier note, Tiare is waiting on Telikom
PNG for the installation of an additional link that will increase the Tiare
(PNG gateway) bandwidth from 8Mbs to 10Mbs. Work has been in progress
for a few months already and the expected commissioning date is within
a few weeks. Commitments from Tiare have also been made to further
increase the country bandwidth to 20Mbs.
1. NOMINATIONS FOR PNGCCI COMMITTEES/BOARDS
PNGCCI is seeking nominations for the following Boards & Committees:- If you are interested please send in your CV's in the first instance to Port Moresby Chamber of Commierce & Industry.
Board and Committee
Submission Deadline
a. Investment Promotion Authority
12 April 2005
(At the 2005 AGM of PNGCCI, Mr. Mayberry
announced his resignation from this position and David Conn the current
alternate was endorsed as the permanent representative. He is now acting.
We are seeking an alternate representative. Should be well versed in business
requirements.)
b. Fresh Produce Development Company 15 April 2005
c. Industrial Centres Development Corporation Board 18 April 2005
d. National Apprentice Trade Testing Board (NATTB) 20 April 2005
e. National Cultural Commission 22 April 2005
f. National Road Safety Council 25 April 2005
g. UNDP Support Project and National AIDS Council 27 April 2005
h. UPNG Accounting Curriculum Advisory Committee 29 April 2005
i. Working Committee for Urban
Customary Land
02 May 2005
Release and Development
j. Tripartite Labour Statistics Advisory Group 04 May 2005
k. National Training Council 06 May 2005
Please note:
*National Training Council - the current
representatives are Ray Clark and Fabian Chow. They are both available
for renomination but all applications will be considered.
*IPA Board - nominee is preferably
a PNG female national, a resonably succesful business woman and have a
clear understanding of key business and investment issues.
*Fresh Produce Development Company
- it usually meets in Goroka. Terry Shelley is acting on our behalf. However
nominations remain open, preferably from someone based in Goroka or nearby.
2. NOMINATION TO PHYSICAL
PLANNING APPEAL'S TRIBUNAL
The Chief Physical Planner has asked for
a POMCCI nomination to the PNG Physcal Planning Appeals Tribunal
represent our interests. Anyone interested should send their CV to
Port Moresby Chamber for submission by end of April 2005.
3. AUSTRALIA PAPUA NEW GUINEA
BUSINESS FORUM
The Australian Business Council in association
with the Business Council of Papua New Guinea will be holding its 21st
Forum to be held in Cairns from 1st to the 3rd of May 2005. The theme
of the Forum is "Building Business Opportunities and Economic Growth".
Further details inlcuding program & registration form is attached.
4. POMCCI
AGM
This is a reminder that the POMCCI Annual
General Meeting will be held on Wedneday 27th April, 2005 at the Crowne
Plaza commencing at 5:00pm. For those of you who wish to nominate,
the nomination forms are available here at the Chamber office. All
completed nominations must be submitted to the Secretary at POMCCI, 6th
Floor, Monian Tower on or before 5:00pm, Wednesday 13th April 2005.
5. MEMBERSHIP
Once again this is a friendly reminder
to those of you who are yet to pay for your 2005 memberhsip renewals.
Failure to do so before 27th April will disqualify you from voting or nominating
for office at the AGM.
The Chamber would like to welcome aboard
Kwila Insurance and GDA Consulting and look forward to their support and
contribution to the Chamber activities.
6. PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Monday 25th April is the confirmed
date for public holiday. The National Gazette has it down as Saturday
25th April which is incorrect.
1. AUSTRALIA PAPUA NEW GUINEA BUSINESS FORUM
The 21st Australia Papua New Guinea Business
Forum will be held in Cairns from 1 to 3 May. The Forum has the theme
"Building Business Opportunities and Economic Growth".
The program and registration form are
now available from the Council website, www.apngbc.org.au.
The Forum will attract senior Australian political representation from both the government and the opposition, and strong representation from the Papua New Guinea government (up to six ministers).
There is an early bird registration rate which offers a saving on the full registration fee.
2. MOU WITH ABV
The Executive of POMCCI has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Chamber and Australian Business Volunteers (ABV, formerly AESOP), to help strengthen the effectiveness of ABV programs aimed at promoting economic development.
The Chamber, or any of its individual members
may apply to ABV for skilled volunteers to help with capacity building.
Requests from Chamber members will receive priority processing of applications.
Chamber members may now access
ABV training courses at a 15% reduction on normal pricing e.g.
Towards Better Governance (formerly the New Director Program), the
Young Entrepreneurs' Scheme (YES) and "Train the Trainer" courses.
ABV Country Representative is David Conn,
President of the Port Moresby Chamber, and there are agents in Lae, Madang,
Goroka, Alotau and Rabaul. A link to the ABV Website is available
on the Chamber website or contact them direct on abvpng@yahoo.com
or www.abv.org.au.
The Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare and the Leader of the Opposition , Hon Peter O'Neill will jointly launch the Gun Control Programme on Thursday 3rd March at the Crowne Plaza at 0730hrs
Members of the Chamber have been invited to attend by Minister for Internal Security, Hon Bire Kimisopa, and Chairman of the Committee, Jerry Singirok.
All members are urged to support this important activity
The cost is K50.00 and can be paid at Premium Concept Ltd.
Office on Goroa Street
(opposite the entrance to Able Computing/BOC Gas at Gordons on inside
road)
Alternatively, we are advised you may register and pay at the Crowne
Plaza on the morning.
For Bookings/Payment contact : Helen Haila, Premium Concept Ltd
Telephone: 311 3257 Fax: 311 2141
Mobile: 686 5343 / 686 4360
The National Capital District Building Authority in close association with the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry will hold a Workshop at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Wednesday 9th March 2005 commencing at 8.30am and ending with luncheon at 1300hrs.
The objective of this workshop is to continue improving current working relationship with the Industry and create public awareness on the role and responsibilities of the NCD Building Authority and its Board.
We anticipate attendance from all sectors of the Building and Construction Industry and the general Business Sector. It will be particularly useful to stakeholders such as property investors/owners(such as entertainment / larger public venues), commercial banks, aid agencies funding building projects in NCD, builders, architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, valuers, land surveyors, real estate agents, product and hardware suppliers. This will be a suitable forum to address issues relating to the new simplified, approval processes and procedures the Board is encouraging NCDC to implement. Other issues to be discussed will include compliance and enforcement issues, including illegal structures, current dilapidated structures and the night clubs and licensed premises in the National Capital District.
As spaces are limited and to organise catering it would be greatly appreciated if you could advise the Chamber Office by COB Monday 7th March.
Cost of attendance will be a token K40.00, payable in advance, to cover catering, to POMCCI.
Topics which will be discussed include the following:
1. Overview of building activity in
the NCD for 2005
G. Tipping
2. NCD response to increased building
activity
I. Kola
3. Building & Development –an industry
perspective
M.Comerford
4. NCD approval process
D. Conn
5. New streamlined approval process
for conforming use etc
L. Pipi
6. Consequences of illegal building
/ badly prepared applications
D. Conn
7. Retaining walls, signage, fences,
encroachment
S. Isu
8. Enforcement / Night Clubs/ Legal
fallbacks
L. Pipi
9. Revised Building Fees / Fines
P. Tabogani
10.Timber treatment / ground treatment /
project signage
J. Andrew
11.Building inspectors
F. Oala
12.Summary / Q&A / Suggestions
/ Recommendations
1200-1300hrs
For Reservations contact Elma or Mabi on Ph: 321 3077/321 3254
Fx : 321 4203
1. Tsunami and Manam island Appeals
Sir Brian Bell has been
tasked with assisting the corporate response to the Tsuanmi Appeal.
The Government has
set a target of K5m, of which the government will raise K2m. All
business houses are encouraged to give generously and to encourage staff
to donate or organise functions and activities which will show the response
of the people of PNG to this major tragedy. PNG has often been the
recipient of world aid, now is our chance to show that even though, in
the global scale, our contribution will be small, that we care and can
assist, with gratitude and willingness, those who helped us in our time
of need. The Chamber has made small contributions of K2000.00 to the Manam
Appeal, through the Madang Chamber of Commerce and K2000.00 to the
Red Cross Appeal.
Donations can be made
through the following accounts:
1. Manam Appeal
National Disaster Management
BSP WGI 1000-583-924
2. Caritas PNG
SE Asia Tsunami Relief
WP BKO 717-856-801
3. PNG Red Cross
PNG Red Cross Tsunami Appeal
WP POM 6000-947-066
BSP POM 1000-035-135
2. PRIME MINISTER'S TSUNAMI CHARITY GOLF EVENT
The Patron of the Port Moresby Golf Club, the Prime Minister of PNG has opened the course and facilities free of charge to conduct a charity fund raising golf event. The event is for the corporate sector of Port Moresby, however individual persons are also encouraged to form a team of four for this charity event.
The event will take place on Friday 28th January and will be a four man Ambrose event with each team presenting their own business house, with a "shotgun" start at 12:00 noon sharp. Players are requested to be at the Club no later than 11:30am.
Prizes will be available for the successful teams, however the Organizing Committee will rely solely on donations for such prizes, no funds will be expended on prizes.
Funds raised during this event will be used in a 50/50 proportion for both the sufferers of the Asian Tsunami and the Manam volcano eruption.
We thank you and look
forward to your participation and contribution to this worthy cause.
1. Membership Renewals
The Chamber would like to remind you all that the 2005 membership renewals are due and to avoid the 5% penalty fee you are asked to make payment before the 31st of January 2005 which is the deadline before the penalty fee is imposed. The Chamber would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have paid their 2005 renewals and look forward to your continued support.
2. Work Permits
After the successful workshop we funded at the end of 2004 with Migration and the Dept. of Labour and Industrial Relations, and the many assurances we received that changes had been made, a new “mindset” was in place, and that things would be different in 2005, it is extremely disheartening to be receiving the barrage of complaints from our Members about the inordinate delays in securing work permits and visas. We are advised that the issue is still outstanding, electricity payments owed by the Dept. of Trade & Industry, and the non- payment of rentals affecting the work of the Migration Dept. and DLIP. The situation has now become totally unacceptable as it has been going on for over 6 months now. Never mind the disincentive to incoming investors, what about the investors who are already here and cannot get vital workforce in place? The costs are inordinate and many companies face the possibility of forfeiting recruitment costs as new recruits walk away because of the delays. We are also disturbed about the large number of legitimate, longer-term expatriates, who have clearly shown their commitment to PNG, many with their own businesses, who are facing long periods out of the country (which most call home anyway), while their families suffer. We have written to the Chief Secretary, Chairman of the much-vaunted Impediments to Business Committee, highlighting many of these issues, and advising him that we have found some of the “impediments“.
3. Post PNG 2004 Annual Stamp Album
2004 Stamp Album is out now and is on sale for K100. The album features all stamps released during the year including souvenir sheets and sheetlets. The album incorporates various aspects of PNG’s heritage and culture and is ideal as gifts for special occasions.
4. Tsunami and Manam island Appeals
Sir Brian Bell has been tasked with assisting the corporate response to the Tsuanmi Appeal. The Government has set a target of K5m, of which the government will raise K2m. All business houses are encouraged to give generously and to encourage staff to donate or organise functions and activities which will show the response of the people of PNG to this major tragedy. PNG has often been the recipient of world aid, now is our chance to show that even though, in the global scale, our contribution will be small, that we care and can assist, with gratitude and willingness, those who helped us in our time of need. The Chamber has made small contributions of K2000.00 to the Manam Appeal, through the Madang Chamber of Commerce and K2000.00 to the Red Cross Appeal.
Donations can be made through the following accounts:
1. Manam Appeal
National Disaster Management
BSP WGI 1000-583-924
2. Caritas PNG
SE Asia Tsunami Relief
WP BKO 717-856-801
3. PNG Red Cross
PNG Red Cross Tsunami Appeal
WP POM 6000-947-066
BSP POM 1000-035-135
ANZ POM 120-266-06
5. HAUS RUTH
If you have single female staff looking for
accommodation, Haus Ruth has vacancies. The rooms are going for K200
per fortnight for shared room and K300 for single room and this includes
meals 7 days a week. For further enquiries please contact Larry George
at City Mission on 320 3375.
5. Online Help Desk
EU Trade News a service of the European Commission
has launched a Help Desk to foster developing
country access to EU markets. The new on-line helpdesk set up by
the European Commission will provide a tool
for developing countries’ exporters to access more easily the EU market.
This free-of-charge helpdesk contains key information on customs duties,
customs documentation, rules of origin and trade statistics available on
line immediately. A second phase, currently being developed,
will widen the range of information to cover product specific import requirements
such as sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.
To access the Helpdesk: http://export-help.cec.eu.int
EU Trade News
Directorate General Trade
European Commission
Email: <mailto:eu-tradenews@cec.eu.int>
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