Mystical East New Britain

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Source: Investment Papua New Guinea, October - December, 2001 edition:

East New Britain immediately evokes in the mind an aura of mystery and mysticism at once attractive yet forbidding.

That is because it is home to the fearsome "maunten paias" (volcanoes) - Vulcan and Tavurvur, the secretive tabuans and the dukduks and the long and colorful modern history of the people.

Such is the impression the outsider might have of this beautiful province.

To the province's 220,035 inhabitants, East New Britain is the universe. The rest of PNG and the rest of the world revolve around it.

Such pride of culture and traditional heritage has encourgaged one of the first and prolonged resistence against colonial dominance.

ENB is one of five island provinces that make up the New Guinea Islands Region. Located between four and six degrees south of the equator, the province covers a total area of 15,817 square kilometers consisting of dense rainforest vegetaion and rugged mountain ranges.

total population of East New Britain Province is estimated at 220,035, the majority of whom are 'tolais' of Melanesian descent.

The province is currently the leading copra and cocoa producer in Papua New Guinea comprising large foreign owned plantations, local business groups and small holder blocks owned by the local people.

Vanilla is fast becoming an important cash crop also in East New Britain.

Being the most developed province in the region due to its very fertile volcanic soil which allows the province to thrive with cash crops, East New Britain hosts some of the most unique and fascinating locations that play a major part in luring visitors from within the country and abroad.

Much of the attractions are the well preserved World War II Japanese bunkers along the Blue Lagoon road on the way to Kokopo and other post-war remnants scattered over the entire province. The beautiful scenery and the unique traditional cultures of the local people also set a timeless location for international tourists.

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The capital of East New Britain Province was Rabaul town until the recent twin volcanic eruptions in 1994 that saw the capital moved to Kokopo. Over the past six years, Kokopo town has expanded and now services the other four island provincial centres in the region, Kimbe, Kavieng, Lorengau and Buka, due to its strategic position, post-eruption industries and infrastructural facilities.

The province is daily serviced by the national flag carrier, Air Niugini, using the Tokua International Airport at Kokopo, linking the town to other major centers and the capital, POrt Moresby. Smaller third level airlines, Islands Nationair and Airlink, also have scheduled flights to outer districts of the province and outlaying towns.

The road networks in the province are second to none with all major roads and feeder roads into rural areas sealed.

Rural villages also have access to telephones and electricity.

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Economy:

Many people, including businesses and the local authorities saw the 1994 volcano eruptions as a blessing in disguise for the growth of the economy of the province because prior to 1994 the town of Rabaul was already running at maximum capacity where much needed expansion of the town and businesses was impossible.

After the eruption and the subsequent shift of the township to Kokopo, the province realized the vast potential for expansion and growth. A lot of vacant land was identified for development within and around Kokopo, Takubar, Vunapope and the outskirts of Kerevat, all in the Gazelle Peninsula for both commercial and industrial purposes.

IN addition, there was a substantial inflow of aid money for redevelopment.

The Provincial Government and the Gazelle Restoration Authority (GRA) are working very closely together to re-establish the economy and have done a lot of work on town planning in conjunction with the Town Planning Board to ensure that the much required infrastructures in these areas are in place.

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Despite the failing prices of copra and cocoa on the world market, companies and smallholder block owners maintain their quota for export. Copra and cocoa is exported from East New Britain to overseas countries which include Singapore, European Union countries, the USA, Malaysia and the Philippines.

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Vanilla Farming:

Vanilla crop is a very recent crop introduced to the province and is rapidly taking over the production of traditional cash crops. unlike cardamom and other spices grown for export, quality vanilla beans are fetching high returns due to short supply on the world market.

Ulaveo Industrial Centre:

An industrial centre is currently udner construction at Ulaveo, and is part of the National Government's efforts to facilitate the development of small to medium size industries.

the Ulaveo Industrial Centre is expected to service the New Guinea Islands region. The first industrial centre at Malahang in Morobe Province is currently in operation.

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Tourism & Hospitality:

Tourism in East New Britain is one area the Provincial Government plans to develop over the next ten years. Currently tourism in the province is seasonal apart from large events and festivals such as the Mask festival which attract capacity crowds from both within PNG and abroad.

The province has a variety of accommodation facilities available all year round ranging from backpacker to world standard beach resorts and hotels.

Owner and proprietor of Staykool Resort, John Itinge, told Investment Papua New Guinea that his establishment over the past years has experienced negative growth owing to a numbe rof factor beyond his control including the 1994 volcanic eruptions and the fear of repeated eruptions.

He added, however, that the Government's plan to revitalize the industry will impact positively on the future of the sector.

Other hotels include Hamamas Hotel, Travelodge and Kaivuna HOtel in Rabaul, Kokopo Village Resort, Sea View Guesthouse and Taklam Guesthouse in Kokopo.

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Potential:

According to the Acting Provincial Administrator, Aquila Tubal, loca business and investments is very important to the overall development of the province.

"East New Britain Province" is one of the provinces where the resources have not been tapped fully for example in the areas of tourism and fisheries. Being the centre of tradin gin the Islands regions and hosting one of the best harbours in the country and the South Pacific, commercial fishing will become one of the main industries attracting much of the investments in the province in the near future, Mr. Tubal said.

The Vulcan volcanoe after the 1994 eruptions which completely destroyed Rabaul town but miracalously only one of the 90,000 plus inhabitants died.

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The government is looking at a number of major projects for the province and as outlined by the Governor Leo Dion and the Acting Provincial Administrator, these will include the manufacturing of volcanic ash (pamas) to produce light cement and other by products such as fertilizers and the extraction of raw coconut oil to manufacture cooking oil. Other developments being planned are the downstream processing of teak and the introduction of the oil palm industry and coffee.

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Rice Farming:

Rice farming is a new concept in the East New Britain Province but surveys conducted by the Provincial Agriculture Division are already positive. The survey indicates that the consumption of rice per capita is sufficient to warrant growing of rice for local consumption.

Proposed location for the project wll be Warongoi on the boundary with the Pomio district and technical assistance in line with production of the rice will be provided by a Japanese non profit organization OISCA also based in the area.

OISCA operates a training centre for rice farming and fish farming in the NGI region.

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Kokopo is gearing up for a major facelift in the centre of the town with the development of the Provincial Government building to be known as the Ralum Civic Centre and the Kokopo Commercial Busness Centre.