Securities Commission of PNG

The Securities Commission of Papua New Guinea is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of the securities industry and capital markets in Papua New Guinea. Operating under the Securities Act 2015, the Commission oversees market integrity, investor protection, and the orderly development of PNG’s capital markets infrastructure.

Regulatory Mandate

The Securities Commission’s core functions include:

• Regulation and supervision of the securities industry in PNG
• Oversight of the Port Moresby Stock Exchange (POMSoX)
• Licensing of market participants, including brokers and investment managers
• Enforcement of disclosure and reporting obligations for listed entities
• Protection of investor interests through market conduct regulation
• Registration and regulation of collective investment schemes

The Commission operates independently and reports to the Minister responsible for Treasury. It works in coordination with the Bank of Papua New Guinea on matters relating to the broader financial system.

Securities Act Framework

The Securities Act 2015 provides the legislative foundation for capital markets regulation in PNG. The Act establishes requirements for the issuance, trading, and disclosure of securities, and sets out the licensing regime for market intermediaries. Key provisions relevant to investors include:

• Prospectus requirements — public offers of securities must be accompanied by a prospectus that meets prescribed disclosure standards
• Continuous disclosure — listed entities are subject to ongoing disclosure obligations to ensure the market is informed of material developments
• Market conduct — prohibitions on insider trading, market manipulation, and misleading or deceptive conduct in relation to securities
• Takeover regulation — provisions governing the acquisition of substantial shareholdings and takeover offers

Port Moresby Stock Exchange (POMSoX)

POMSoX is Papua New Guinea’s national stock exchange, operating under the supervision of the Securities Commission. The exchange provides a regulated market for the listing and trading of equity securities. POMSoX-listed companies span several sectors of the PNG economy, including banking, agriculture, and resources.

Listing on POMSoX requires compliance with the exchange’s listing rules, which include requirements for corporate governance, financial reporting, and shareholder communication. The Securities Commission oversees the exchange’s operations and ensures that listing and trading standards are maintained.

Investment Fund Registration

Collective investment schemes and managed investment funds operating in Papua New Guinea are subject to registration with the Securities Commission. The registration framework establishes requirements for fund structure, disclosure, governance, and reporting. Foreign fund managers seeking to offer investment products in PNG must comply with the Commission’s licensing and registration requirements.

Relevance to Investors

For international investors, the Securities Commission’s regulatory framework governs participation in PNG’s capital markets — whether through direct equity investment, portfolio investment via POMSoX, or the establishment of investment fund structures. Understanding the Commission’s requirements is an important component of due diligence for capital market participants.

Investors can explore the broader regulatory and legal environment in the Investment Law section or contact InvestPNG to discuss capital markets engagement pathways.