Meet to promote PNG as investment hub opens

By MALUM NALU
THE two-day Papua New Guinea Advantage 2012 conference, which is dedicated entirely to the promotion and investment in PNG begins today at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby.
Over two days, it will:
n Showcase specific area­s of opportunity where international and domestic businesses could contribute in a meaningful and sustainable way in the development of PNG; and
n Provide a forum in which they can meet prospective local and international partners (local entrepreneurs, super funds, banks, fund managers, landowner companies, multilateral/donor agencies, facilitators and service providers).
The event will focus upon likely areas of major opportunity in PNG over the next decade, with a heavy emphasis on regional opportunities, and an entire day dedicated to opportunities in infrastructure.
 It will be co-hosted by the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Business Advantage International.
Minister for Public Enterprises Ben Micah will be opening the conference.
Business Advantage International publishing director Andrew Wilkins said they had been greatly encouraged by the res­­ponse to the event, especially over the past few week.
He said they expect to have more than 250 people in the room on the first day of the conference.
“We’re looking forward to hearing high profile journalist Michael Pascoe’s views on how PNG fits into the Asian century, and to hearing about lots of opportunities for business and investment across the economy from a range of expert speakers, including Esso Highlands’ Peter Graham and City Pharmacy’s Mahesh Patel,” he said
“Two of the major focuses of the event will be regional development (a major focus of the afternoon of Day 1) and infrastructure (the entire focus of Day 2).
“We want to make sure people realise that there’s a lot more to PNG than Port Moresby and a lot more to the economy than mining and gas, important though they are.
“As well as some formal presentations from high profile speakers such as Bank of PNG Governor Loi Bakani and the Asian Development Bank’s new country director Marcelo Minc, we’re also looking forward to several informal panel discussions, including one on energy featuring Dr John Hewson, an expert resource person.”
 who will give delegates a chance to get more involved in discussions, and pose their own questions.
“It’s going to be a great couple of days.”