Dentons Rodyk successfully defended PNG Sustainability Development Program (PNGSDP) in a Singapore High Court matter against the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (“the State”). With assets of approximately US$1.4 billion, this is one of the highest value matters to have been heard in the Singapore High Court. 

PNGSDP is a company incorporated in Singapore in 2001, as part of the exit of global mining giant BHP from Papua New Guinea (PNG), with the purpose of promoting sustainable development in PNG, and in particular in the Western Province, where BHP’s Ok Tedi Mine is located. The dispute centred around the State’s attempts to take control of PNGSDP, from its independent Board. Moving forward, PNGSDP is now free to carry out its purposes under the control of its independent Board in accordance with the contractual framework that had been agreed in 2001. 

The State has filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal. 

PNGSDP was successfully defended by Dentons Rodyk, led by Philip Jeyaretnam S.C. and his team, with Mark Seah as second chair. 

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