How to Register Company with IPA Online (Investment Promotion Authority)

This is an extract of frequently ask questions for registering a business in Papua New Guinea with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA). The information first appeared in the Post Courier and we share it here for our readers.

In this info-article, you'll find out about the different companies you can register; how to register a business either offline (in person) or online; the cost of registering a business what to do when you've applied to register a business.

How do I register a business?

There are a number of differences which one can register:

A Limited Company,
Business Name,
Association,
Business Group and
Foreign Enterprise

Upon registration, one can receive a registration certificate under the entity type they register.

How do I go on obtaining an IPA Certificate?

The IPA Certificate is given to foreign entities that are after company registration is required to lodge a foreign enterprise application.

How do I obtain this important document?

One can obtain extracts or certificates of business entities, from IPA Website. However, at the IPA front counters, IPA does not provide soft-copy searches or printed extracts.

How to register business offline?

1. Business name registration fee offline is K200.00
2. You must submit the completed business name Form 1 to the Registrar of companies, via post if you are outside of Port Moresby or at our public front counter at Konedobu.
3. The IPA postal addresses are; PO Box 1281, Port Moresby, NCD or PO Box 5053, Boroko, NCD, Attention: Registrar of Companies.
4. In relation to payment, IPA does not accept cash, hence, fees can be paid via bank cheque, Eftpos on-site or direct deposit using IPA’s customized deposit form.
5. If using the normal bank deposit form, please remember to attach the original deposit butt to the application form.
6. Account Name: INVESTMENT PROMOTION AUTHORITY
7. Bank: WESTPAC Acc#: 295283 | BSP Acc#: 1001323865 | KINA Acc#: 1150909

How to register a business online?

You also have an option to register your business name and pay fees online using a visa/credit card or by registering yourself as a Deposit Account (prepaid) user on the IPA website.

The filing fee to register your business name online is K150.00.

PART A FIRST, CREATE A REGISTERED USER ACCOUNT BY DOING THE FOLLOWING

In order to use IPA Online Registry System (ORS) to access services other than conducting entity searches, one must first register an ONLINE USER account.

To register an online user account, follow steps 1-6 below.

(If you are already a registered user, please skip to PART B).

1. Enter the IPA website address as in https://www.ipa.gov.pg
2. Click Register account
3. Enter your personal details
4. Enter a username
5. Enter a password
6. Click ‘create’ to be automatically registered as a registered user. A dashboard automatically appears on the successful completion of this process.

Note: Ensure to record your username and password lest you forget.

PART B – CHECK NAME AVAILABILITY

The first step towards applying for any entity registration including Business Names is to make sure that the name you are proposing to register is available (or is not already registered by someone else).

Follow Steps 1-6 below: Click Online Services from the tab as in below

PART C – REGISTERING A BUSINESS NAME ONLINE

1. Again, from your dashboard click Online Services
2. Click on Register Business Name
3. Fully complete all tabs as in below and click ‘Submit’

4. Once the Fee Payment screen appears complete details in full and click ‘Continue’. A follow-on payment screen will appear.
5. Fill in the details of your CREDIT or DEBIT CARD.
6. Click ‘Continue’ to complete the process.

PART D – NOTES

WHAT TO EXPECT: Once the above process is complete, the application is queued in the internal work queue and can be processed imminently.
ESTIMATED TURNAROUND TIME: Approximate processing time for applications submitted online is 2 working days. Follow-ups may be staged after 2 working days.
ONLINE FEE: Online application/registration fee applicable for Business Names is K150.
PAYMENT METHOD: For any online submission, a fee is to be made by either CREDIT CARD or DEBIT CARD
FOREIGN ENTERPRISE CERTIFICATION: After completing the registration process as above, entities having foreign involvements will need to apply for what is called a Foreign Enterprise Certification. For this, refer to the information sheet titled ‘Using Online Registry System – Foreign Certification Process.
EMAIL CONTACT: The email address to be used for online queries is ipaonline@ipa.gov.pg

Source: This article originally appeared in the Post Courier

(24 December 2021)