‘Port Moresby capable of hosting large-scale events’

Port Moresby is now well placed to host large-scale meetings and events throughout this year, starting with the International Oil and Gas Summit to be held in two months’ time.
Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Rio Fiocco, said the city really benefited last year from hosting nearly all Apec meetings.
These culminated in the leader’s summit at Apec House on Nov 17-18.
“Apec was beneficial to quality hotels as well as those companies that supplied goods and services to the Apec Coordinating Authority throughout the year,” Fiocco said.
“Now that PNG’s role as the host of Apec is over, and with Chile now taking over as this year’s hosts, there are not a lot of international meetings and events that Port Moresby businesses can look forward to this year.”
Fiocco said hotels, caterers, hire car companies, transport service providers and motor vehicle dealers had all benefited from Apec.
“Port Moresby city was also a big beneficiary with the Chinese government paying to reseal the whole Poreporena Freeway as well as build the new Independence Boulevard from Waigani Drive to Parliament Haus,” he said.
“The construction sector also benefited from the building works done at the International Convention Centre, Hilton Hotel and Kutubu Convention Centrem, as well as Apec Haus and much-improved foreshore works done at Ela Beach.
“Businesses as well as residents and visitors alike are now enjoying the benefits of driving on these new roads and swimming and playing at the Ela Beach recreation park.
“Port Moresby now boasts a number of quality convention centres like ICC at Waigani, Apec Haus and Kutubu Convention Centre.”
Fiocco said this year was shaping up to be another tough year for businesses in the nation’s capital.