Economic development
Coordinate and promote economic activity in line with the Gulf Provincial Government's approved development strategies.
Gulf Province · Papua New Guinea
Growing a prosperous, self-reliant Gulf Province
GEDA is the Gulf Provincial Government's lead body for economic development, investment facilitation and strategic infrastructure, making sure Gulf people share fully and fairly in the opportunities ahead.
TypeProvincial development authority
HeadquartersMalalaua, Gulf Province
CoverageKerema & Kikori Districts · 10 LLGs
FocusPapua LNG readiness & local participation
01 · Who we are
About GEDA
The Gulf Economic Development Authority (GEDA) is the Gulf Provincial Government's lead body for economic development. Its mandate is to coordinate and promote economic development, investment facilitation and strategic infrastructure growth within Gulf Province.
GEDA is the Provincial Government's platform for aligning private investment with provincial priorities, regulatory compliance and long-term social and economic outcomes. With the Papua LNG project moving toward a final investment decision, our work centres on making sure Gulf people, landowners and businesses take a real, safe and well-governed part in the opportunities it brings.
Our vision
A prosperous and self-reliant Gulf Province, where Gulf people share fully and fairly in the wealth of their land, rivers and resources.
Our mission
To coordinate economic development, facilitate investment and grow strategic infrastructure in Gulf Province, so that major projects such as Papua LNG leave lasting jobs, skills, businesses and services for Gulf people.
Our mandate
Investment facilitation
Act as the government's single platform for investors, linking them with provincial priorities and regulatory requirements.
Strategic infrastructure
Grow the infrastructure that brings long-term social and economic benefits to Gulf communities.
02 · The Gulf agenda
Gulf Province development priorities
Gulf Province is rich in land, rivers, forests, fisheries and petroleum. GEDA's work is guided by the Gulf Provincial Government's development plans, which aim to turn these resources into jobs, businesses and services for Gulf people.
Agriculture & livestock
Commercial agriculture and livestock, building on coconut, coffee and oil palm.
Fisheries
Grow the sector, with a target of 70% of catch processed onshore.
Forestry
100% downstream processing of timber within the province.
Mining & petroleum
Support resource sites, including the Papua LNG wellheads and pipeline.
MSMEs & growth centres
Micro, small and medium enterprises, and district growth centres.
Downstream processing
Add value to raw products in the province before they are sold.
Trade & investment
Promote the Ihu Special Economic Zone and industrial hubs.
Infrastructure
Kikori wharf, an Industrial Park, and a connected network of roads, rivers and waterways.
Tourism
Develop tourism, including services for workers and visitors linked to the LNG projects.
How GEDA works
- Represents provincial interests in major resource projects, making sure activities match approved development plans and public accountability.
- Facilitates investment as the Provincial Government's single platform for investors.
- Supports Papua LNG readiness, so Gulf people and businesses can take part safely and fairly when construction begins.
- Prepares the Gulf workforce, building a verified register of skilled Gulf people ready for resource, construction and service jobs.
Source: Gulf Provincial Government, Development Plans.
03 · The opportunity
Papua LNG and the Gulf
Papua LNG will develop the onshore Elk and Antelope gas fields in Gulf Province. Gas will be piped to a new LNG plant at Caution Bay, next to the existing PNG LNG plant near Port Moresby.
US$14bnEstimated capital cost≈ K63.7 billion at K4.55 = US$1 (30 Oct 2026)
~320 kmPipeline: about 60 km onshore and 260 km under the Gulf of Papua
80%Share of project benefits to Gulf (20% to Central)Tier-One agreement, October 2026
Late 2026Target for the final investment decision (FID)
Project partners
| Partner | Interest |
|---|---|
| ExxonMobil (operator) | 34.1% |
| Kumul Petroleum & MRDC (State) | 22.5% |
| Santos | 21.0% |
| TotalEnergies | 20.0% |
| ENEOS Xplora | 2.4% |
Interests after the September 2026 change of operator from TotalEnergies to ExxonMobil.
Gulf's position
At the Papua LNG Development Forum in September 2026, Acting Gulf Governor and GEDA Chairman Mr Morris Taudevin set out the province's conditions:
- No pipeline through Gulf without guaranteed benefits and safeguards
- Avoid the delays and unmet promises of PNG LNG
- Real gains in infrastructure, health, education and business
- A fair, inclusive and transparent partnership
On 8 October 2026, Gulf and Central signed the Tier-One benefit-sharing agreement, giving Gulf 80% of project benefits.
04 · Flagship programme
Skilled Labour Mobilisation
Led by GEDA, the programme is building a verified register of skilled and semi-skilled Gulf people who can be mobilised for jobs on resource, construction, infrastructure and service projects.
5,000Foundation applicants targeted in Phase 1
10 LLGsAll Gulf LLGs to be covered in later phases
50Trained surveyors in 10 field teams
Nov–DecPhase 1 roll-out, 2026
Where we are registering
| Area | Target |
|---|---|
| Gulf people living in Port Moresby (NCD) | 1,500 |
| Malalaua (from GEDA Headquarters) | 1,250 |
| Kerema town | 1,250 |
| Other wards, with Provincial NID Registrar support | 1,000 |
| Total Phase 1 | 5,000 |
Key dates
- 4 Nov 2026Registration launches in Port Moresby
- 16 Nov 2026Malalaua and Kerema town begin
- 7 Dec 2026Other wards begin
- 31 Dec 2026Phase 1 closes
- Jan 2027Review and planning for the next phase
How the register works
- Each applicant is recorded by Province, District, LLG, Ward, Village and Clan.
- Skills, certificates, work experience and training needs are captured so people can be matched to jobs and training.
- Identity and ward or clan origin are checked with ward councillors and community leaders.
- The Provincial NID Registrar's Office supports the ward roll-outs alongside national ID registration.
05 · People and governance
Leadership
Mr Morris Taudevin
Chairman
Chairman of GEDA. Also the Acting Governor of Gulf Province.
Mr Christopher U Haro
Managing Director
Leads GEDA's day-to-day work and chairs the Skilled Labour Mobilisation Steering Committee.
GEDA Executive Management
Management team
Reviews programme progress and major changes through the Steering Committee every fortnight.
Partners
- Gulf Provincial Government: GEDA's parent government and the source of its development priorities.
- Gulf Province NID Registrar's Office: partner on ward roll-outs for the skilled labour register.
Get in touch
Contact GEDA
- Phone+675 8366 9208
- Emailgedapng@gmail.com
- OfficeGEDA Headquarters, Malalaua, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea
Follow GEDA