Date Posted: June 03 2025

                                                                                

Parliamentary Committee on Citizenship to look into reports on unauthorised foreign participation in reserved sectors

Authorised for release by Hon. Ricky Morris, MP - Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Citizenship Matters

TUESDAY JUNE 3rd , 2025 | THE PERMANENT Parliamentary Committee on Citizenship Matters is planning to conduct an inquiry with key stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organisations, and the public, to gather input on matters relating to Reserved Business Activities for Papua New Guinea citizens, specifically in Alluvial Mining, which involves extracting gold from riverbeds and alluvial deposits in Papua New Guinea.

Committee Chairman Hon. Ricky Morris, MP made this statement during the official swearing-in ceremony of Chief Migration Officer Wellington Navasivu on the Advisory Committee and other members of the Committee at Parliament House, recently.

Chairman Hon. Morris said the inquiry will look into selected alluvial mining activities and smallscale/artisanal mining operations in the country, following reports of an increase in foreign investors participating in this sector.

“Certain business activities, including alluvial mining are reserved for PNG citizens to promote local participation and economic empowerment,” he said. “It is a significant livelihood activity for many local miners and any foreign investor found operating in this domain may face legal consequences.”

As the Committee responsible for oversight on a broad range of citizenship-related issues, stakeholders including Investment Promotion Authority and other regulatory bodies who actively monitor business activities to prevent unauthorised foreign participation in reserved sectors will be invited to give evidence at a public hearing or consultative meeting in the coming months.

Chairman Hon. Morris said the Committee was committed to empowering PNG citizens by ensuring they have exclusive access to key economic activities, thereby fostering national development and selfreliance.

Details of the proposed inquiry will be announced at a later date.

Meanwhile, the Government has established a Reserved Activity List (RAL), effective from January 3rd , 2022 of about 39 activities reserved exclusively for PNG citizens, including small-scale farming, retail trade and security services. The list is reviewed biennially to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.

For more information, please contact the Parliamentary Committee Secretariat on +675 3277785 or email parltcommittees@gmail.com

ENDS..///

 

(From left) Hon. Gary Juffa,  Hon. Ricky Morris - Chairman , Hon. Lohia Boe Samuel and Hon. Dr Allan Marat

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