LNG project to engage local firms

By MARK HAUHUIE
THE upcoming Papua LNG Project should see increased engagement of local business as compared to the PNG LNG Project, says Exxon Mobil PNG managing-director Andrew Barry.
Barry told The National that it was important that local businesses that sought to be contracted were aligned with the multinational way of doing business.
“For Papua LNG, Total is going to operate the upstream and we are going to be operating the plant expansion, so there will opportunities for SMEs in both areas,” Barry said.
“It is definitely exciting.
“As we go forward, there are always opportunities to improve on what we do.”
Barry said one way was through the already-established Institute of Banking and Business Management (Ibbm) Enterprise Centre.
“That provides a really strong platform and basis as we look for new opportunities for growth,” he said.
“From a PNG LNG perspective, it provides a great foundation.
“We have very strong standards and way of doing business.
“We set up the enterprise centre because that provides opportunities for people to come in and learn how to run a business in line with the standards that we expect.
“This avenue that we set up is perfect, because when they go in they are aware of our quality expectations and policies.
“It helps business have that useful understanding, but also helps them with their own business structure as well to be able to compete.”
Barry said big investors like ExxonMobil coming into the country should make use of Ibbm.
“I think what we are excited about as well is that when we look forward for future growth opportunities in the country, we are going to be using the platform for PNG LNG and grow more businesses,” he said.