All Countries and All Sectors

Confidence among players in Papua New Guinea’s (PNG’s) banking industry and the launch of new microfinance and mobile banking initiatives highlight the sector’s potential to grow amid the country’s natural resource-based surging growth. However, the Bank of PNG (BPNG), the central bank, remains concerned about increasing levels of liquidity.

In a move widely regarded as a major policy u-turn, the Thai government is paving the way for the relocation of low-cost carriers (LCCs) from Bangkok’s primary airport, Suvarnabhumi, to alternative facilities at the older Don Mueang International Airport as it looks to tackle the growing problem of passenger congestion.

The Kingdom’s telecommunications sector is looking to boost revenues this year as competition intensifies between service providers. Bahrain’s telecommunications market provides a strong base for the nation’s three firms, but fierce competition is driving efforts to increase value and enhance services.

A regional cable network (RCN) earmarked for completion later this year, together with a new, national five-year strategy for the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, will act as the key drivers in Jordan’s efforts to reinvigorate growth levels in the industry.

As the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, Ghana accounts for more than one-fifth of the global cocoa market. The commodity is a crucial export earner and contributor to the country’s economy. After a bumper harvest last season, the country is now looking to develop the segment, increase yields and diversify into growing markets.

New rail links with Russia and China and a planned overhaul of the road network underline progress in Mongolia’s plans to use the recent surge in resource growth to improve infrastructure and transport. However, there are concerns that political wrangling could delay the implementation of ambitious projects.