War causing price hike

CONSUMERS in Papua New Guinea (PNG) can expect to pay more for store goods such as flour and other consumables due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine disaster relief team leader James Rice says.
“Another factor that will be pushing cost of living up is inflation in the US,” he added.
Rice, who is Paradise Foods Ltd former chief executive officer, said the cost of living would rise even further as the war widened.
He said the cost of fuel was the biggest impact on Papua New Guinea, while being an exporter of energy, the everyday consumers who relied on imported diesel and gas fuel for electricity would suffer.
“The cost of fuel will be the biggest impact on PNG.
“If the war widens to involve other countries, it will be a mess for all of us,” he added.
Commenting on Prime Minister James Marape’s statement on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Rice said everyone was welcomed to have a perspective and PNG was a free and democratic country.
“Papua New Guinea is unknown in most of the world and there is an opportunity to market Papua New Guinea as an investment destination,” Rice said.
“But it requires the right investment environment like roads and power.”