Papua New Guinea’s Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA) has granted a 12-month Provisional Developer Licence to Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) for the development of the Central Province Industrial Park (CPIP) at Caution Bay.
The decision marks a key milestone for one of PNG’s most ambitious industrial development initiatives. Envisioned as a transformational Special Economic Zone (SEZ), the CPIP aims to stimulate economic diversification, create employment opportunities, and catalyse infrastructure investment in Central Province.
SEZA Board Chair and Acting Managing Director welcomed the move, describing it as a “timely and strategic decision” aligned with the country’s broader development priorities.
The CPIP is expected to leverage PNG’s abundant natural resources and its strategic location to attract both domestic and foreign investment across industrial processing, manufacturing, and logistics sectors.
KPHL, PNG’s state-owned oil and gas company, brings experience in large-scale infrastructure delivery. The provisional licence will enable the company to initiate detailed planning, stakeholder engagement, and early groundwork—essential steps before the transition to full project implementation.
While SEZs have often been touted as a pathway for economic transformation in PNG, success has historically been mixed. Much will depend on how the CPIP navigates regulatory, landowner, and environmental challenges, as well as how effectively it can mobilise private sector participation.
The coming 12 months will be critical for determining whether the CPIP can move beyond vision to viable development.