The Benefits of a PNG-owned Gold refinery

Establishing a 100% Papua New Guinea-owned gold refinery will benefit the economy by increasing revenue, creating jobs and promoting self-reliance in the alluvium gold and mining sector.

Benefits of PNG-owned Gold Refinery run by Papua New Guineans

The establishment of a 100% Papua New Guinea-owned gold refinery will bring about numerous benefits for the economy. 

The country has been dependent on foreign companies to mine its minerals, refine them and then sell them back to PNG. This has resulted in PNG not getting its fair share of the wealth generated from its own natural resources. 

Therefore, a 100% PNG-owned refinery will provide an opportunity for PNG to refine its minerals, generate revenue and create jobs for its citizens.

Luther Wenge Wants a PNG-owned Gold Refinery

According to Hon. Luther Wenge, the Morobe Governor, PNG has minerals of all kinds which are currently being exported to other countries to be refined. 

If a refinery is established, the minerals can be refined in the country, and the gold can be extracted from other minerals to sell and bring hard currency into the country. This will promote self-reliance in the mining sector, which is currently dominated by foreign companies. 

Hon, Wenge stated in the PNG Parliament Hansard (PDF), 

“we cannot continue to allow these things to happen. We must refine the minerals ourselves… This is ‘hard money’ which is valued higher when compared to Papua New Guinea Kina”.

PNG losing out on job opportunities

The current situation also results in PNG losing out on job opportunities as foreign companies are the ones doing the mining and refining, which reduces the number of jobs created in PNG. 

By establishing a 100% PNG-owned refinery, PNG will have the opportunity to create more jobs for its citizens in the mining sector, which is critical for the economy's growth. 

Sir Ano Pala recorded in the PNG Parliament Hansard in response to Hon. Wenge's statement on PNG-owned Gold Refinery said,

“Governor, what you are raising is what the country needs right now. If you have the resources, organization, and corporate structure ready, I will allow you to set up a refinery because we don’t have a refinery at the moment”.

Economic Benefits of PNG-owned Gold Refinery

The proposed establishment of a 100% PNG-owned refinery will increase the country's revenue. 

Currently, foreign companies are exporting PNG’s minerals and generating revenue for themselves.

By establishing a refinery, PNG can refine its minerals, extract gold from other minerals, and sell it to other countries. This will increase PNG’s revenue, which can be used for development projects that will benefit the people of PNG.

Gold Refinery Holding Act Bill

In a recent parliamentary bill called the Gold Refinery Holding Act Bill (yet to be passed into law), the PNG prime minister is said to have sponsored the parliament Bill.

The details of the 'Bill' is not clear, but is it likely to create a proxy gold refinery outside of PNG, contrary to the idea of a PNG-owned Gold refinery.

It can be damned if the decision to mine and sell PNG Gold Bullion and Gold Bars is left in the hands of proxies and their wanton cohorts.

Whatever the deal is, it has to be transparent so as not to provoke unnecessary speculations. 

PNG-owned Gold refinery way forward

All in all, the establishment of a 100% Papua New Guinea-owned gold refinery is beneficial for the economy. 

It will promote self-reliance, create jobs and increase revenue for the country. 

As Mr Garry Juffa stated in the PNG Parliament Hansard, 

“Let’s state that, if we want to build a refinery, it must be owned by Papua New Guineans 100 per cent”. 

This is an opportunity for PNG to take control of its natural resources, refine them and generate wealth for its citizens.

NGIP Agmark Limited Delivers Profit Despite Drought: FY22 Financial Results Unveiled

NGIP Agmark Limited has announced a preliminary result of K3.97 million after tax for the year ended December 31, 2022. This is a decrease in revenue by K9.4m or 6.33% due to diminished sales in cocoa and coffee exports. However, the company still managed to declare a profit for FY22, proving its resilience despite a challenging year.

NGIP Agmark Limited Decrease in Revenue

The decrease in revenue was mainly due to a drought that hindered cocoa production for most of the year, leading to a significant drop in revenue compared to the previous year. 

However, through key initiatives from past experiences, combined with a robust reporting system and a streamlined management structure, NGIP Agmark Limited was able to minimize costs and take advantage of profit-making opportunities to ensure a profit for FY22.

The company's cost of sales decreased by K8m or 7.5% in FY22, and admin and finance costs grew by 1.31m or 2.8%, mainly due to occupancy costs. 

Despite the increase in occupancy costs, the company closed underperforming branches in the previous year, resulting in a 22% decrease in occupancy costs in FY21.

NGIP Agmark Limited Dividend Payout

During the AGM held in June 2022, the board announced a dividend payout for the FY21 performance of the audited K7.3M profit after tax. A distribution of K0.04 per share was paid in November 2022, marking the second consecutive year that a dividend was paid.

Throughout FY22, the company continued to focus on supporting its customers, especially the cocoa farmers, and solidifying strong relationships with suppliers, providing shareholder value through the challenges of 2022.

Looking forward, NGIP Agmark Limited

Looking forward, NGIP Agmark Limited aims to:

• continue its expansion plans, focusing on investing in technology to improve operational efficiency, and
• enhance customer experience, while also exploring new markets and business opportunities to grow the company's revenue and profitability.

Investors' Takeaway

• Despite facing a challenging year due to a drought that hindered cocoa production, NGIP Agmark Limited managed to declare a profit for FY22, demonstrating the company's resilience and strength.
• The company's focus on cost optimization and taking advantage of profit-making opportunities helped minimize costs and achieve profitability.
• NGIP Agmark Limited paid dividends for two consecutive years, indicating its commitment to creating value for shareholders.
• The company's investment in technology to improve operational efficiency and customer experience, coupled with its exploration of new markets and business opportunities, bodes well for its future growth and profitability.
• NGIP Agmark Limited's continued focus on supporting its customers, especially cocoa farmers, and building strong relationships with suppliers reinforces the company's commitment to its stakeholders and sustainable growth.

In Brief

Despite the challenges faced by NGIP Agmark Limited in FY22, the company has shown resilience and strength, delivering a profit and paying dividends to its shareholders. 

The company's focus on cost optimization and investment in new technology and markets bodes well for its future growth and profitability.

CPL Group Expands Across Papua New Guinea with 4 New Retail Locations

CPL Group, the leading retail group in Papua New Guinea, has announced its financial results for FY2022. There are some good news for investors looking to earn more from their investments.

Despite tough business conditions and disruptions due to the National Elections, the

• company's revenue grew by 5.1%,
• profit after tax was K15.5m, and
• dividend declared for FY2022 is 25% higher than FY2021, at 5 toea per share. 

Download the CLP Croup Financial Report FY2022, PDF

City Pharmacy Limited

The company's parent company, City Pharmacy Limited, which operates pharmacy outlets across Papua New Guinea and Stop & Shop supermarkets in Port Moresby, experienced revenue growth of 5.1%. 

Meanwhile, the home and lifestyle brand Hardware Haus maintained its market position from the previous year. 

Joint venture businesses, Jacks of PNG and Prouds PNG, contributed significantly to the company's financial growth, with a steep incline of 150% compared to the previous financial year.

CPL Group's expansion

CPL Group's expansion efforts were also successful, with the opening of four new retail locations across the country, including Hardware Haus in Goroka and North Waigani, Port Moresby, and City Pharmacy in Kundiawa and Eriku in Lae. 

This brings the total number of retail outlets to 78 across PNG, including joint venture businesses.

CPL Group Dividend Payment 

For shareholders, the:

• ex-date for dividend payment is on March 22nd, 2023, 
• record date is on May 1st, 2023, and 
• payment date is May 30th, 2023. 

This information is crucial for shareholders to receive their dividend payments on time.

CPL Group's commitment to delivering outstanding value and exceptional customer service for its communities, customers, suppliers, and team members is evident. 

The company's aim to be the preferred shopping destination in Papua New Guinea shows its dedication to its customers' needs. 

As the company ventures into the next 12 months, it will remain focused on ensuring shareholder value.

Investors takeaway

According to the FY2022 financial statement released by CPL Group, the company opened four new retail locations across Papua New Guinea. These new locations are:

1. Hardware Haus in Goroka
2. Hardware Haus in North Waigani, Port Moresby
3. City Pharmacy in Kundiawa
4. City Pharmacy in Eriku, Lae

In Brief

ICPL Group's FY2022 financial statement shows steady growth despite tough business conditions and disruptions. 

The company's financial performance is impressive, with a 25% increase in dividend payments compared to the previous year. 

Its expansion efforts and commitment to delivering outstanding value and exceptional customer service make it a promising investment opportunity for investors looking for long-term growth potential.

Credit Corporation PNG Commercial Bank Approval - Exciting Opportunities Ahead

Credit Corporation PNG has reported its financial results for the financial year ending December 31, 2022. 

• The company's core operating profit was K98.8m, up 25.0% from the previous corresponding period (PCP). 
• The net profit after tax (NPAT) was K86.04m, an increase of 11.9%. 
• The company's earnings per share rose from 25 toea to 28 toea per share. 
• The total risk-weighted capital ratio increased from 40.1% to 45.0%. 
• The dividend per share for FY22 was 22.5 toea, up 25.0% from the previous year.

Download the full report here.

Credit Corporation PNG dividend income

The Finance Division of Credit Corporation had an NPAT of K36.6m, up 41.9% from the PCP, while the Property Division recorded a core operating profit of K13.4m, up 31.0% from the PCP. 

The company's dividend income increased from K52.9m to K61.5m.

Credit Corporation PNG Commercial Bank 'Approval'

Credit Corporation is transitioning to becoming a fully-fledged niche commercial bank, and the Bank of PNG granted it 'Approval in Principle' for an unrestricted banking license. 

The company's outlook is positive, and it will continue to focus on pursuing growth opportunities while maintaining a strong balance sheet and disciplined approach to managing the quality of its loan book.

Investors' takeaway

For investors, the key takeaways are that Credit Corporation's financial performance for FY22 was strong, with an increase in profitability, earnings per share, and dividend per share. 

The company's decision to transition to a fully-fledged niche commercial bank and its Approval in Principle from the Bank of PNG for an unrestricted banking license are important developments to watch. 

The company's focus on disciplined management of its loan book and strong balance sheet is reassuring for investors.

Read about how to invest in PNG Stocks, Treasury Bills and Government Bonds.

In Brief:

Credit Corporation PNG has reported a strong financial performance in FY22, including a 25% increase in core operating profit and 11.9% rise in NPAT. The Group's total risk-weighted capital ratio rose to 45%, while its property division recorded a core operating profit of K13.4m. Credit Corporation also declared a final dividend for FY22 of 12.3 toea per share, a 25% increase compared to FY21. The Bank of Papua New Guinea granted the company 'Approval in Principle' for an unrestricted banking license, allowing it to transition to becoming a bank and ultimately listing on the ASX.