Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) has presented major investment opportunities across Papua New Guinea’s telecommunications, electricity, water, agriculture, property and tuna processing sectors to Australian and international investors.

Speaking at the Business Advantage PNG Investment Conference in Brisbane, KCH Managing Director Professor David Kavanamur said reforms across the State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) sector were creating opportunities for greater private-sector participation in the country’s economic development.

“Reforms across the State-owned enterprise sector are creating greater opportunities for private capital, strategic partnerships and public-private partnerships,” Professor Kavanamur said.

Among the opportunities highlighted was a proposed joint venture with RD Fishing Group to develop a tuna cannery capable of processing approximately 150 metric tonnes a day. The initiative would support PNG’s efforts to process more of its fisheries resources domestically.

Professor Kavanamur also outlined investment opportunities at Portside Gardens, the waterfront precinct at the historic old Port Moresby wharf site. KCH has secured 17 titles for the development, which offers opportunities across commercial, residential, hospitality, retail and lifestyle projects, with Kumul Haus as its anchor development.

In agriculture, KCH is exploring strategic co-investment involving New Britain Palm Oil Limited. Potential investment could extend beyond oil palm into sugar, cattle and other agricultural activities.

Telecommunications remains another area for investment, with Telikom included in the Government’s privatisation programme. Completion is targeted for 2027, opening opportunities for private capital and expertise.

Professor Kavanamur said major restructuring of PNG Power was progressing, including a proposed ownership structure comprising a 51 per cent State interest and a 49 per cent interest for a private strategic investor. With annual revenue exceeding K1 billion, PNG Power offers significant underlying commercial potential.

KCH is also continuing investment in electricity transmission infrastructure, including strengthening the Highlands and Ramu systems to improve reliability and increase the power available to the grid.

In the water sector, ageing systems and growing urban demand are creating opportunities for public-private partnerships to rehabilitate existing infrastructure and develop new facilities.

Professor Kavanamur highlighted the SOE portfolio’s financial performance, reporting approximately K261.7 million in dividends paid since 2022. He said total shareholder equity in the General Business Trust had grown to around K5.3 billion since 2019, while combined SOE revenue in 2025 was approximately K4 billion.

The presentation highlighted how SOE reforms are opening opportunities for investors to participate in some of PNG’s most important industries and infrastructure developments.

Professor Kavanamur’s message to investors was clear: Papua New Guinea is open for investment.