Asia Economy

This section includes an article about the historic Kokoda Trail, as well as information on hotels, government and other listings, alongside useful tips for visitors on topics like currency, visas, language, communications, dress, business hours and electricity.

PNG’s GDP grew 8.9% in 2011, thanks in large part to the fact that construction work on the PNG LNG project is in full swing. While growth likely cannot sustain such a high pace, government officials hope that revenues from the LNG facility will catalyse an economic transformation. Analysts, however, are worried about Dutch disease, where resource-driven growth drives inflation and makes local...

This chapter focuses on PNG’s rich natural resources, its ethnic diversity and relations with regional neighbours, with a specific focus on trade between mineral-rich PNG and resource-hungry China. This chapter includes viewpoints from Prime Minister Peter O’Neill; Julie Bishop, Australia’s Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Leader of the Opposition; and William Hague, UK Secretary...

Economic growth in the Philippines slowed from 7.6% in 2010 to 3.7% in 2011, and public-private partnerships (PPPs) that would have boosted public spending were delayed. The Aquino administration says that the wait is due to strict anti-corruption measures, and promises that 2012 will see these projects move forward. In the meantime, in late 2011 Aquino unveiled a spending package worth $1.6bn to...