Economy and Shopping in Papua New Guinea
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following items can be imported into Papua New Guinea duty-free:
250 cigarettes or 250 g tobacco (people aged 18 and over);
2 l alcoholic beverages (people over 18 years);
1 liter of perfume;
Other items and gifts up to a total value of 1,000 K (people under 18 up to 500 K), personal items such as cameras, video cameras, laptops, etc. Ä. must be at least one year old for duty-free import.
Prohibited imports
Non-canned animal products that are not from Australia or New Zealand, fresh or canned pork from New Zealand, drugs and pornographic products.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Generally very casual, no suit or costume required – shirt or safari suit or dress will do.
Business hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4.30 p.m.
Authorities: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Economy
Papua New Guinea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chamber of Commerce)
PO Box 1621, Port Moresby
Tel: 321 30 57
Internet: www.pngcci.org.pg
Investment Promotion Authority
PO Box 5053, Boroko NCD 111
Tel: 321 73 11.
Internet: www.ipa.gov.pg
Business contacts
Papua New Guinea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chamber of Commerce)
PO Box 1621, Port Moresby
Tel: 321 30 57
Internet: www.pngcci.org.pg
Investment Promotion Authority
PO Box 5053, Boroko NCD 111
Tel: 321 73 11.
Internet: www.ipa.gov.pg
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Dial-up remote service.
Cellphone
GSM 900. Network operator is Bee Mobile, a subsidiary of Pacific Mobile Communications (Internet: www.pacificmobile.com.pg). The reception / transmission area is limited to Port Moresby, Lae, Madang, Goroka and Mt. Hagen.
Internet
Main providers: Global (Internet: www.global.net.pg ) and Daltron (Internet: www.daltron.com.pg). Connections can be unreliable and slow.
Post Office
Airmail shipments to Europe take around 7-10 days. Post office opening times: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Shops such as the Melanesian Arts Center (www.melanesianarts.com.pg) in Lae offer a wide range of handcrafted products. The many street vendors that are everywhere offer an alternative. Often you can also buy their goods directly from the villagers. Particularly popular souvenirs include ceremonial masks and statuettes from Angoram and the Sepik region, Buka baskets, bows and arrows, decorated axes, pottery and other local handicrafts. The butterfly farms send rare species all over the world. Colorful bilums(traditional mesh bags made of vegetable fibers or wool) are available in different sizes almost everywhere; The locals use these practical and sturdy bags in a variety of ways, including shopping, tool storage or carrying babies.
Groceries are best bought at one of the many markets, where you can often find clothes as well as fresh fruit and vegetables. One of the largest and most beautiful markets is the market in Goroka. Haggling is allowed in moderation, but one should not be too persistent. If the goods are marked with price tags, there is no need to haggle. It is advisable to take enough change with you, as the dealers often do not have any change. It is considered impolite to touch goods that you do not want to buy.
Opening hours
Mon-Fri 9 am-5pm and Sat 9 am-12pm. Some shops are open longer or on Sundays.
CULTURE
Religion
Christianity (60%) and natural religions (34%).
Social rules of conduct
General: Some tribes in the interior of the Papua New Guinea, a country located in Oceania listed on commit4fitness, still live today according to their traditions handed down over many generations with rituals that do not always seem understandable from a European perspective; respectful restraint is required. Many locals are illiterate, especially women.
Manners: Shake hands to greet you. It is considered to be respectful not to look one another in the eye.
Clothing: Clothing can be light and informal. Shorts are perfectly acceptable, but some nightclubs and discos do not like them. Swimwear should only be worn on the beach or swimming pool. In some hotels, long trousers are considered good form for men in the evening; ties are rarely required. A long dress is appropriate for women on special social occasions.
Security: Although the security situation has improved significantly in recent years, the crime rate is still very high in some parts of the country. Try not to go out alone, especially after dark. Valuables such as jewelry or large sums of cash should not be displayed.
Photographing: People should be asked before photographing them. Many locals like to be photographed, but some indigenous peoples cannot be photographed for religious reasons. For your own safety you should be careful not to continuously present an expensive camera to everyone.
