Thought Leadership Private Public Sector - Webinar with Jeremy Thorpe

On November 12th, 2025, the Chamber hosted a key webinar as part of its on-going webinar series, on private-public sector collaboration and reform in Papua New Guinea’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Led by economist Jeremy Thorpe, the session examined the current landscape, challenges, and future pathways for PNG’s SOEs.

Key Insights:

• PNG’s SOEs span sectors including ports, electricity, water, and telecommunications, with varied performance levels.
• While some SOEs like MVIL are highly profitable, others like PNG Power face significant operational issues.
• Despite ongoing reforms supported by the ADB, governance remains the primary obstacle, often due to politicized appointments and weak oversight.
• The discussion emphasized the importance of market-based reforms, including privatization, enhanced regulatory capacity, and industry-specific strategies.
• Participants highlighted that reforms must be transparent, merit-based, and tailored to each sector’s unique dynamics.