Niugini Shop opens in Cairns

Rosemary Turare-Omudsen
Manager, Niugini Shop
The Niugini Shop is a Cairns based business that commenced operation on the 14th of January 2002. Retailing PNG made products such as furniture, jewellery, coffee, artifacts, items of art and handicraft such as bilums and woven baskets, a variety of hard mint biscuits, cosmetic products and musical tapes and CDs. Arrangements are currently underway to include Ox & Palm corned beef and besta tinned fish on the list of products. Basically, the shop is dealing with PNG made products only and at the same time providing a contact point of access to PNG Business and Immigration Services now that both the PNG Consulate and Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) have closed down operations in Cairns. The immigration component of the business involves assisting intending travellers to PNG obtain visas through the PNG Consulate in Brisbane and the PNG High Commission in Canberra. As a business service, the Niugini Shop assists those genuinely interested in investing in PNG with business development advise, research and development, business referrals/contacts, assisting with applications for registration, permits licenses and certification as required by PNG authorities.

The Niugini Shop also provides ground support services to those PNG businesses and organisations requiring assistance with business contacts, accommodation bookings and secretarial services for programmes and events in Australia. The idea of providing these services from one location as a private business was realised in the seven years of experience working for the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) both in PNG (4 years) and in Australia (3 years). I was manager of IPA Cairns office from 1999 to 2001. The IPA closed its office in Cairns on the 14th of December, 2001. As a Papua New Guinean residing in Australia, I hope that through the Niugini Shop, I can continue to contribute through the services that my business is providing, and that I can seek support from PNG government organisations when required.

New Ireland has new plans to revive Malangan Show

New Ireland Province plans on reviving the famous Malangan Show which was suspended due to lack of continued funding and support from the Provincial Government. Acting Divisional Head for the New Ireland Provincial Tourist Bureau Francis Rangatin said in a telephone interview recently. Mr. Rangatin replaces former Divisional Head Noah Lurang who has resigned to stand for the 2002 National Election in his electorate. Mr. Rangatin said the show will not happen straight away adding that strategic planning was needed to make the event more self sustaining and at the same time create a marketable appeal. He said the launching would take place this year depending on the funding situation in preparation for the big show next year.

He also made a mention on this year’s major cultural event, the biggest Shark Calling Festival in the West Coast of New Ireland planned for May 22nd to the 24th, 2002. He announced that special tour packages for the visiting tourists were organised by the show committee to make the event a strictly marketable appeal for the visiting public to further promote and develop the cultures of the province. Also happening in the province is the Exhibition Tsunami Special 3 Years On in conjuction with the National Museum and Art Gallery. Plans are also under-way for the New Ireland Tourist Bureau to create a website for the internationally acclaimed Kontu Shark Calling Festival in the province.

Special Tour Packages and other information relevant for the travelling tourists would be included in the website. Mr. Rangatin said that the website would be linked up with the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’s website once it is launched. The Bureau also announced that details of a feasibility study of the first Provincial Museum and Art Gallery were at the stages of finalisation. The province does not have a museum and very much needed one for archiving important elements of the cultural values of the province.