IPA launches awareness campaign in Milne Bay over new associations law

The Investment Promotion Authority [IPA] has deployed a awareness team to Alotau in Milne Bay Province to educate local executives on the newly enacted Associations Incorporation Act 2023, which supersedes the previous 1966 legislation.

Official records show that of the 162 incorporated associations registered with the IPA in Milne Bay, only one group has successfully completed re-registration under the new legal framework.

The remaining 161 bodies are currently classified as unregistered and risk losing their legal status if they do not update their records.

IPA Company Examiner Andy Pomat said that failure to comply with the updated laws could disrupt operations for community and civil society groups across the province.

"All associations across Papua New Guinea have been removed from the central registry for re-registration. According to our records for Milne Bay, out of 162 associations, only one has re-registered," Pomat said.

"If you don't comply, we will strike off the association. Non-compliant groups will face financial penalties, which was not the case under the old act."

He said team members were assisting executives on the ground in Alotau to complete their documentation.

Re-registration is free during a one-year grace period. Groups that fail to re-register before the grace period expires on June 30, 2027, will be subject to penalty fees.

Executives seeking to register new associations can access the IPA digital portal at www.ipa.gov.pg.

Milne Bay marks the third province visited in the national outreach campaign, with the awareness team scheduled to travel to Maprik in East Sepik province next.