Program 2022

9.00am Welcome and opening remarks

9.10am Welcome from PNG’s High Commissioner

• His Excellency John Ma’o Kali, Papua New Guinea’s High Commissioner to Australia

9.30am Keynote address: Saul Eslake

After his much-lauded virtual presentation at our 2021 event, we are delighted that one of Australia’s most respected business commentators will appear in person this year.

The former Chief Economist at ANZ and at Bank of America Merrill Lynch will consider the outlook for PNG in the context of a volatile geopolitical climate, and provide insights into how companies and investors can navigate these uncertain times.

• Saul Eslake, Economist

This keynote address kindly sponsored by Westpac PNG

10.15am Economic update on Papua New Guinea

One of the most popular presenters on the PNG economy will share his expert analysis of the latest economic data.

• Justin Smirk, Senior Economist, Westpac

10.45am Morning tea, kindly sponsored by ExxonMobil PNG

11.15am Papua New Guinea’s investment climate (Interactive panel)

A panel of experts will discuss the key features of PNG’s prevailing investment climate. Our panelists:

• Clarence Hoot, Managing Director, Investment Promotion Authority of PNG
• Lars Mortensen, Managing Director, JMP Securities – one of PNG’s two licensed stockbrokers
• Zanie Theron, Managing Partner, KPMG PNG

This session kindly sponsored by PNGX, Papua New Guinea’s national stock exchange.

11.55am LNG update

The global liquefied natural gas market has undergone significant disruption this year. Our speakers will examine the global trends and also PNG’s ambitious plans to develop its LNG sector.

• Peter Larden, Chairman & Managing Director, ExxonMobil PNG
• Daniel Toleman, Principal Analyst – Global LNG, Wood Mackenzie (video presentation)

The session kindly sponsored by Credit Corporation

12.30 Case study: financial services (Q&A)

Fincorp is one of the success stories of PNG’s financial services sector. Its CEO will explain the reasons for its growth, and reveal its long-term strategy.

• Brett Tayler, Chief Executive Officer, Finance Corporation Limited (Fincorp)

12.45pm Networking lunch, kindly sponsored by KPMG.

1.45pm Large scale developments in PNG [interactive panel]

PNG’s major developers discuss current and planned major construction projects, and plans to further develop the sector.

• Rupert Bray, Managing Director, Steamships Trading Company
• George Constantinou, Chief Executive Officer of Monier and Managing Director of Hebou Constructions, Lamana Group of Companies
• Paul Sayer, Chief Executive Officer, Nambawan Super

2.30pm The energies of the future

This session will focus specifically on new low carbon energy solutions for PNG, including solar power mini-grids and green hydrogen. Speakers:

• Devesh Singh, Operations Officer (Climate and Energy), South Asia & Pacific, International Finance Corporation
• Geoffrey Tan, Managing Director Asia Pacific, US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)

3.00pm Short break

3.10pm  Ihu Special Economic Zone Update

Special economic zones are one of the methods the PNG Government is using to attract new investment. We hear from one of the most prospective, Ihu SEZ in Gulf, host province for the Papua LNG project.

• Peter Kengemar, Project Director, Ihu Special Economic Zone

3.20pm  Papua New Guinea’s mining outlook

The head of Papua New Guinea’s mining industry regulator will outline the next wave of projects in the sector and consider forthcoming reforms.

• Jerry Garry, Managing Director, Mineral Resources Authority

3.45pm  Case study: entrepreneurship

The co-founder of the New Guinea Islands’ largest car hire business and co-director of Paradise Private Hospital considers the outlook for PNG’s services sector and the challenges faced by the country’s entrepreneurs.

• Janet Sios, Director, Paradise Private Hospital (Q&A)

4.00pm  PNG’s state-owned enterprises

Planned reforms for PNG’s state-owned enterprises are likely to make them more suitable for private sector engagement. Our panel discusses the progress made, and the opportunities that may follow.

• Ian Tarutia, President, PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Matthew May, board member, Kumul Consolidated Holdings
• Matthew Rees, Financial Management Specialist – Papua New Guinea Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank

4.40pm  Keynote: Doing business with China

Fresh from three-and-a-half years managing the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) office in Beijing, Austrade’s new Deputy CEO will outline how Australian companies are doing business in China and the lessons they have learnt from the last three years.

• Daniel Boyer, Deputy CEO, Austrade

5.00pm  Closing comments, followed by networking drinks, kindly sponsored by TE (PNG)

6.30pm for 7pm Gala Dinner, kindly sponsored by Monier

The Gala Dinner was in the BCEC’s stylish Sky Room, overlooking Brisbane’s skyline. It featured a special French menu, designed by the convention centre’s head chef, with matching wines, and musical entertainment from a string duo, Rush Strings. The special guest speaker was Ian Kemish, former Australian High Commissioner to PNG and author of The Consul.