Pacific and PNG talk investments

A GROUP of business leaders and government officials from the Pacific and Papua New Guinea are in Brisbane to meet with Australian and Asia-Pacific business representatives and financiers.
They will discuss the forecast by Australia and New Zealand Bank economists on a “tsunami” of new investment in the country.
New mining, petroleum and infrastructure projects are expected for PNG.
The contingent will be led by International Trade and Investment Minister Richard Maru, State Enterprises Minister William Duma, and Bank of PNG (BPNG) acting governor Elizabeth Genia.
They will be addressing the 2023 Business Advantage PNG Investment Conference, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre today and tomorrow.
The conference promotes business and investment opportunities in PNG, showcasing key sectors of PNG’s economy.
It will feature keynote addresses by financial commentator and broadcaster, Alan Kohler, KPMG’s Global Oil and Gas official Jonathon Peacock and Westpac Bank senior economist Justin Smirk.
Representatives of major global companies including ExxonMobil, Santos, Vodafone, ANZ, Deloitte, Toyota Tsusho, Newcrest Mining and Japan’s Marubeni Corporation are expected to attend.
Business Advantage International publishing director of the conference and host Andrew Wilkins said: “If you’re an Australian business interested in learning more about the big opportunities coming in PNG, this is a unique opportunity to rub shoulders with the key players and decision-makers.”
The event will also feature a Pacific Islands Business briefing with high-profile speakers including the chief executive officer of Investment Fiji and the governor of the Central Bank of the Solomon Islands, who will provide updates on the wider Pacific islands economy.