Papua New Guinea’s capital market has received a strong vote of confidence from the government, with State Enterprises Minister Hon. William Duma voicing robust support for deepening financial participation and partially privatising state-owned enterprises (SOEs) through the PNG stock exchange.
The announcement was welcomed by PNGX Group Limited, the holding company of Papua New Guinea’s national stock exchange. In a statement issued on 17 July, PNGX described the minister’s remarks as a significant step towards building a more vibrant and inclusive financial ecosystem in the country.
A key element of the Minister’s statement was encouraging broader public and institutional shareholding in BSP Financial Group Limited, the country’s largest banking institution. PNGX said the move would help widen investment access for ordinary Papua New Guineans and deepen capital formation within the domestic market.
Equally notable was Minister Duma’s reaffirmation of the government’s intent to partially privatise key SOEs through public listings. PNGX said such a strategy would promote transparency, enhance corporate governance, and offer citizens a direct opportunity to own a stake in nationally significant enterprises.
“We welcome the acknowledgement that the private sector is well positioned to drive innovation, efficiency and ensure long-term value creation,” the exchange said in its media statement. “A strong private sector, enabled by a functioning capital market on PNGX, is key to unlocking economic growth and long-term national prosperity.”
As interest grows in strengthening Papua New Guinea’s capital market infrastructure, PNGX reiterated its commitment to supporting government and private sector initiatives aimed at improving accessibility, governance, and investor protection.
With renewed ministerial backing, the exchange hopes to see momentum accelerate in areas such as listing reforms, investor education, and the development of new financial instruments suited to the PNG context.
The statement reflects growing alignment between public policy and capital market development, positioning PNGX as a central platform for future privatisations and long-term wealth creation for local investors.
