Program 2025

6.00-7.30pm Pre-conference drinks reception

Pre-conference drinks on the pool deck at Rydges South Bank Hotel, from 6pm to 7.30pm.

9.00am  Welcome to delegates

• His Excellency John Mao Kali, PNG’s High Commissioner to Australia

9.15am  Official Opening Address

• The Hon. Richard Maru OBE MP, Minister for International Trade and Investment, Government of Papua New Guinea

9.45am  Keynote address: Chris Richardson, Economist

Respected economist Chris Richardson will provide the keynote address on Day 1 of the Business Advantage Papua New Guinea Investment Conference.

One of Australia’s best-known economists, Chris is also a columnist with the Financial Review, Sydney Morning Herald, and The Age.

He has worked at Australia’s Federal Treasury and the International Monetary Fund, as well as Deloitte Access Economics.

Chris will talk about the rapidly-changing global business landscape and what it means for Papua New Guinea.

• Chris Richardson, Economist 

10.30am  Morning tea

11.15am  Economic Update on PNG

PNG is currently undergoing a program of economic reform supported by a program from the International Monetary Fund. During this session, we heard an update on the current state of its economy, the prospects for growth, and the key elements of the planned reforms, which have involved key changes to the foreign exchange regime.

• Sohrab Rafiq, Country Manager, International Monetary Fund

11.55am PNG at 50

We take a look at the PNG’s economic potential through the experienced eyes of two major companies that have played a critical long-term role in its 50-year history. Speakers include:

• Chris Daniells, Managing Director, Steamships
• Daniel Faunt, Group General Manager, Corporate Bank, BSP Financial Group

12.45pm Networking lunch

1.30pm Financial services: New banks, new services

PNG’s banking sector is expanding, with new banks receiving licences. At the same time, technology is set to play a key role in extending financial services to more of PNG’s population. This session will look at the impact of these two trends, and the opportunities that will emerge. Speakers include:

• Sunil Pokharel, CEO, TISA Bank

1.50pm Papua New Guinea’s investment climate [Interactive panel]

A panel of experts discuss the key features of PNG’s prevailing investment climate with Andrew Wilkins, Publishing Director at Business Advantage International. Participants include:

• Rajeev Sharma, CEO, Nasfund
• Susil Nelson-Kongoi, President, Business Council of Papua New Guinea and CEO, Institute of Banking and Business Management
• Rio Fiocco, President, Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce & Industry

2.30pm Investment trends to watch in PNG

We take a closer look at some of the prevailing investment trends in PNG, including green finance, public-private partnerships, privatisation of state assets, new investment vehicles and more. Speakers include:

• Mohinesh Prasad, Head of Green Finance Centre, Global Green Growth Institute/Bank of PNG
• Paulus Ain, Commissioner and CEO, Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC)
• John Tuaim, Deputy CEO and Chief Investment Officer, Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC)

3.10pm  Afternoon mini break 

3.25pm Towards a digital economy

Massive public and private investment in fibre, satellite and microwave connectivity is enabling business and government to find reap the dividends of going digital. This session will explore PNG’s connectivity roadmap, and consider some of the cloud-based innovations now starting to roll out. Speakers include:

• Ronald Prasad, Chief Strategy Officer, Vodafone

4.00 pm  Getting your organisation started with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Francine Hoo, Director Responsible for AI Enablement, Data and AI Governance and Management, KPMG Australia

4.20 pm Papua New Guinea: a thriving market for services

Papua New Guinea’s economic relationship with the State of Queensland is its longest continuous economic partnership. In this presentation, we will hear about the experience of Queensland companies providing services to PNG.

• Rachel Colaso, General Manager, Business Growth & International, Business Chamber Queensland

4.45pm  Investment Case study (services)

• Maino Lucas, CEO, Kayop Investment Limited

5.00pm  Networking drinks

6.30pm for 7.00pm  Gala Dinner

8.30am  Fiji business and investment update

The economy of PNG’s Melanesian neighbour is thriving on the back of a booming tourism industry. Meanwhile, commercial ties between the two nations have never been stronger. This session will provide a concise update on business conditions and major projects, as well as highlighting key investment opportunities. Speakers include:

• Ivan Fong, CEO, Amalgamated Telecom Holdings
• Kamal Chetty, Chief Executive Officer, Investment Fiji
• Maikash Ali, General Manager Corporate and Business Banking, BSP Financial Group (Fiji)

09.30am  Keynote: How technology is changing the face of investment

Futurist and experienced impact investor Lisa Andrews will explore the exponential growth of technology and its transformative impact on investment decisions, from computational capacity to AI-driven innovations that are reshaping business strategies.

• Lisa Andrews, Futurist and impact investor

10.00am  PNG’s infrastructure investment pipeline 

If PNG is to capitalise on the opportunities of the next decade, key investments in enabling infrastructure will be necessary. This session will look at the current investment pipeline and the opportunities for private sector participation. Speakers include: 

• Professor David Kavanamur, Managing Director, Kumul Consolidated Holdings Ltd
• Paul Bayly, Managing Director, PNG Power Ltd

10.30am The Asian Development Bank in PNG

The ADB’s deputy country head for PNG will talk about the bank’s support for a pipeline of development projects in PNG, especially in infrastructure.

• Soon Chan Hong, Deputy PNG Country Director, Asian Development Bank

10.45am Morning tea

11.15am  Onshore/offshore: PNG’s LNG decade

With the Papua LNG project due for its final investment decision buy the end of this year, more discoveries proving up nicely and PNG’s first offshore gas project also progressing, delegates will hear from a number of local and international players in the sector. Speakers include:

• Stephen Quantrill, Executive Chairman, Twinza
• Ronald Meketa, Managing Director, National Energy Authority

11.45am Investment case study: engineering, procurement and construction

• Isikeli Taureka, CEO, Turra Holdings

12.00pm Papua New Guinea’s mining outlook 

With a new minerals regime currently under consideration by PNG Government and existing mines investing heavily in expansion, exploration and lease extension, we take closer look at the opportunities that are likely to and how global factors are likely to play out. Speakers include: 

• Sarimu Kanu, Managing Director, Kumul Minerals Holdings

12.45pm Investment case study: mining 

1.00pm–2.00pm Closing remarks and networking lunch

*invited