Quick Facts

Capital: Port Moresby
Land:462000 sq km
EEZ: 3.1 million sq km
Population: 4.6 million (approx. for 2000)
Languages: English, Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, Local Languages
Currency: Kina
Economy: Agriculture, fisheries, forestry and mining


Background Information
Papua New Guinea is a dualistic economy; the relatively prosperous "enclave" mining sector contributes most to economic growth and has spill over effects on the rest of the economy. The modern, foreign owned, capital intensive mining sector which exports its entire output and accounts for most private secotr investment exits within what is essentially a subsistence and non-growing economy. Although traditional agricultural crops of cofee, copra, cocoa and more recently oil palm products as well as logging still account for around 30 per cent of GDP, the most striking structural change in the economy has been the growth of the mining and petroleum sectors and relative stagnation of agriculture, the mainstay of the economy.

Foreign investors will find that the abundance of natural resources that provides the resource base of the country creates the best opportunity for investment.

Contacts for further information

Investment Promotion Authority
PO Box 5053
Boroko
NCD
Papua New Guinea
Tel: (675) 3217311
Fax: (675) 3212819
Email: iepd@ipa.gov.pg
Website: www.ipa.gov.pg


Department of Trade & Industry
PO Box 375
Waigani
N.C.D
Papua New Guinea
Tel: (675) 3255426
Fax: (675) 3255482

For up to date information on Papua New Guinea, please visit the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's website link here.