Economic growth for who ? 80% of the region's population are still living a subsistent lifestyle that includes a struggle to recieve proper healthcare, access to clean water, walk miles to attend school and battle against high cost of goods and services that the government is '(always) working' to provide. Their lives have not improved to a low-middle income category. Many more remain unemployed and revert to criminal activities and begging for the fact that our people have been deceived to think that a paid job will grow our nuclear economies. The economic status may have changed but our lives remain the same.
Source: The National
Papua New Guinea has made good economic progress over the past few years, a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report says.
The report, Achieving Development Results in Asia and the Pacific, documents the achievements of all countries in the region over the past two years.
The report says: " As a result of economic growth, the country has achieved the status of a lower middle-income country" and continues to attain high growth rates.
"In many parts of the country, we have seen huge improvementsin infrastructure and there is now more accuratestatistics as well as evidence available to inform policy choices.
"The country is now better positioned to achieve improved development outcomes in future but needs to continue to make the best policy choices that will yield the best returns for the country and all its citizens."
The report highlights a specific successful initiative from PNG, the "phones against corruption"campaign.
The campaign launched in partnership with the Department of Finance uses mibile phones to encourage citizens to report suspected corruption by sending text messages to a designated line. The campaign has already yielded a substantial data set, pointing to the potential for scaling up, the report said.
"The country this year will have one of the fastest growing economies globally, with an expected high growth rate and it has graduated to 'lower-middle income' status. The government is working to improve delivery at the local-level, advocating against corruption and promoting greater transparency and accountability.
"With all of these developments Papua New Guinea is increasingly assuming a bigger leadership role in the Pacific region.
"Further improvements will require tough decisions including a sustained focus on reducing poverty rates, addressing income and gender disparities, providing access to quality health, education and other services, investing in social protection for those most in need, as well as ensuring that the management of extractive industries lead to improved human development outcomes for all citizens."
UNDP resident representative Roy Trivedy said the UNDP would continue to support all levels of government in this taks.
This week Government representatives will meet in Port Moresby for the 2015 Leaders' Summit to discuss the country's progress.