Business Information and Facilitation Division (Foreign Company Certification)
The primary function of this division is to administer the Investment Promotion Act and Regulation. This includes the certification of bona fide foreign investors to conduct business in PNG. The division is also responsible for conducting research into trade and investment opportunities in PNG for support work on policy formulation by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. It also collects, processes and disseminates business information on same to both private and government institutions.
It is a requirement under the Investment Promotion Act, that foreigners wishing to conduct business in Papua New Guinea must be granted a Certificate to carry out business activities in PNG.
The Regulations of the Investment Promotion Act 1992, as amended, contain a list of business activities which are restricted to citizens and/or national enterprises. Activities restricted to citizen enterprises only make up the Cottage Business Activities List (CBAL). The CBAL replaces what used to be called the Reserved Activities List. Foreign enterprises cannot conduct business in activities listed under CBAL. The list may be reviewed from time to time.
The BIF Division administers a one-stop licensing information centre called the Business Licensing and Information Service (BLIS). It is intended to provide the investor with all the information about the licences and approvals necessary for the conduct of business in all sectors of the economy in PNG.
Provincial Database Reports are available for the following provinces and you can obtain a copy by contacting the Director, Business Information and Facilitation Division by clicking on the "Contact Us" page.
The update provides statistical information about foreign business certification and the general business trends in Papua New Guinea. The statistics include the number of companies undertaking businesses in the country, presented according to sector, country and province, as well as figures on the levels of capital investments and the number of jobs generated, etc.
These information can also be made available to interested clients by contacting the Director, Business Information and Facilitation Division via email: