PNGBLOGS

by PAUL FLANAGAN Summary The recent IMF report indicates PNG’s international economic situation is much more frail than the picture presented by the O’Neill government. Indeed, the IMF calls the foreign reserves position ‘weak’. PNG has less than one third the recommended level in its international bank account. And this is despite the foreign exchange rationing that is hurting PNG business, investment and jobs. PNG’s published import coverage ratios are misleading and out of step with internationally accepted definitions. Specifically, PNG claims foreign reserves cover 13.0 months of imports while the independent umpire, the IMF, says the figure is only 3.2 months of imports. The suggested level for a country such as PNG is around 10 months of imports. PNG has less than one-third the prudent level. PNG says the import coverage ratio for non-mineral sector imports has increased by 28% over the last five years.  This appears to show a healthy improvement in PNG’s external

by MICHAEL JOSEPH PASSINGAN Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has just cost Papua New Guinea almost K1.5 billion because of his reckless, corrupt and unnecessary borrowings. The loss is on the refinancing of his illegal K3 billion UBS-Oil Search loan. The deal was done in secret in Sydney earlier this month to avoid having to reveal the massive loss that the Prime Minister, UBS and Oil Search have inflicted on the nation. Details of the deal were not revealed when Kumul Petroleum MD Wapu Sonk announced it over the weekend.  Mr O’Neill’s secret loss comes at a time when the Government is virtually bankrupt, unable to pay public servants and cutting spending on essential services such as health, education and power generation.  It will add to the record and illegal levels of debt already incurred by the Prime Minister. It will contribute to further worsening of the living standards of ordinary Papua New Guineans. The refinancing of the UBS-Oil Search loan is even worse tha