Prospects explored for Aust firms to operate in PNG

THE prospects for businesses in Orange, Australia, operating in Papua New Guinea will be explored following a visit to the city by PNG consul-general Sumasy Singin.
Orange is a city in Central West region of New South Wales.
Singin spent four days in Orange where several opportunities were discussed.
He said the visit built Orange’s special relationship with PNG through the sister city Mount Hagen.
“This relationship has been going for 30 years or so and Hagen is at the heart of our highland region,” Singin said. He said Mt Hagen recently opened an international airport which had opened up travel to and from the region, increasing business prospects.
“Most of the mining companies operating in the area fly in and out through Mt Hagen,” Singin said.
Among those considering their options in Papua New Guinea is Pybar. The Orange based company is a major mining industry support business and representatives from Pybar are attend their first mining expo in Port Moresby this week.
“We’re starting to look at overseas opportunities,” Pybar chief operating officer Brendan Rouse said. Papua New Guinea, given its proximity to Australia and the eastern states, is a logical choice.
“Underground gold mining at the moment is the main opportunity there. That’s our speciality.”
Rouse said if the business does expand to Papua New Guinea, it would be a long term project.
Singin said there were a lot of opportunities for businesses in Orange to explore business in Papua New Guinea and current economic conditions could make now a good time to explore the market. – Central Western Daily
“They should go to Papua New Guinea now,” Singin said.
“The prices or oil and gas have gone down and a lot of bigger companies are sizing up their operating costs.  It is better to move in now to see the opportunities.”
Singin is based in Sydney and made the trip to Orange with his wife and two grandchildren.
“I went to Mount Canobolas. It is like going up to the Everest of this part of the world and see all the cities below you,” he said.
“The road was closed but it was fun walking up to the summit. My grandchildren had never seen the snow before.”
The visit was arranged by deputy mayor and Sister Cities committee chairman Cr Chris Gryllis. – Central Western Daily