Program 2026

6.00-7.30pm Pre-conference drinks reception

Pre-conference drinks at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Welcome to delegates

Official Opening Address

• The Hon. James Marape MP, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (invited)

Keynote address: AI, productivity and the future of work: what every business leader needs to know

Skills shortages aren’t just a PNG phenomenon but a global one. The competition for experienced people is intensifying across almost every industry.

At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing what high-value work looks like faster than most organisations are ready for, and the gap between those using it well and those that are not is already widening.

Finally, the very nature of work is changing: fractional careers, portfolio workers, and new generations entering the workforce with very differing expectations.

How can business leaders navigate their way through these challenges to reach the opportunities?

Our opening keynote address this year will be made by the accredited and globally awarded futurist, Dr Ben Hamer, who is ranked as one of the Top 20 Global Futurists and is the #1 thought leader for the Future of Work in the Asia-Pacific.

As the Founder and Chief Futurist of leading trend intelligence agency, ThinkerTank, Ben works with organisations to help them think big, see around corners and stay ahead of the game.

• Dr Ben Hamer, International expert on the Future of Work

Morning tea

Keynote: economic update

Update on how global factors such as the war in the Middle East will impact PNG’s economy in the coming year.

• Dr Brendan Rynne, Chief Economist, KPMG Australia

Investor briefing from Papua New Guinea’s central bank 

PNG’s central bank has been at the forefront of reforms to improve the efficiency of the country’s financial services sector, drive greater financial inclusion, and encourage innovation in areas such as green finance. At the same time, it has made major progress in restoring PNG’s foreign exchange system to balance and is leading reforms. 

• Elizabeth Genia, Governor, Bank of Papua New Guinea 

Interactive panel: Papua New Guinea’s business outlook 

We look at PNG’s economy through the eyes of one of its leading private sector developers, a major international bank, and its largest superannuation fund to identify and consider the opportunities that lie ahead. 

• Chris Daniells, Managing Director, Steamships Trading Company 
• Lachlan Baird, CEO, Nambawan Super 
• Andrew Betteridge, Country Head – Papua New Guinea, ANZ 

12.30pm Networking lunch

Keynote: Towards a venture capital market in Papua New Guinea 

As the annual Innovation PNG Awards have identified, there is no shortage of innovative small businesses in the country. However, with no venture capital market in Papua New Guinea and only a smattering of genuine ‘angel’ investors, many of the country’s most innovative startups have struggled to establish themselves, grow and prosper.  

However, as Vignesh Kumar has experienced through his involvement in the rapid growth of the VC market in PNG’s Pacific neighbour New Zealand, a dynamic venture capital market can be built quickly and successfully with the right support. 

• Vignesh Kumar, Co-Managing Partner, GD1 (Venture Capital)

Panel discussion: Investment trends in Papua New Guinea

The past year has seen PNG’s first corporate bond issued, the first digital strata title issued, a ramping up of interest in green finance and some signature investments made across tourism and hospitality, infrastructure and real estate. Our expert panel will take a closer look at what is sitting behind recent key investment decisions in PNG and where the smart money will be invested over the next five years. 

Speakers include:  

• Augustine S. Mano, CBE, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mineral Resources Development Company Limited (MRDC)
• Eric Kramer, Chief Investment Officer, Nasfund

Investment case study – Launching a new bank on Papua New Guinea: the lessons learned 

CEO Danny Robinson used the 2024 PNG Investment Conference to launch PNG’s latest bank, CreditBank PNG. With its first full trading year now successfully completed and the bank well on its way, he is back to report to the conference on its progress and what he and his team have learned along the way. 

• Danny Robinson, CEO, CreditBank PNG 

Interactive panel: Building Papua New Guinea’s human capital

Following on from Dr Ben Hamer’s keynote address on the future of work, this expert panel will take a closer look at the skills situation on the ground in PNG and discuss how the workforce of the future can be developed and supported.

• Susil Nelson-Kongoi, President, Business Council of Papua New Guinea (BCPNG)
• Gregory Mataenge, Manager ICT and Cloud, Vodafone PNG
• John Byrne, President, Lae Chamber of Commerce (invited)

In conversation: Alan Milne, CEO, Air Niugini

Aviation continues to be a critical service in a country as geographically dispersed as PNG. Recently appointed for his second term as CEO of PNG’s national airline, Alan Milne will reveal details of Air Niugini’s new corporate plan and its fleet modernisation program in this wide-ranging discussion with Business Advantage International’s Publishing Director Andrew Wilkins.

• Alan Milne, CEO, Air Niugini

Networking drinks

Gala Dinner

Fiji investment update

The economy of PNG’s Melanesian neighbour Fiji 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:

• Craig Strong, Chief Investments Officer, BSP Life
• Josefa Wivou, Executive Director, Outsource Fiji

Connectivity and beyond: building PNG’s future ICT backbone

The dramatic improvement in data connectivity over the past five years has kick-started the digital age in PNG, transforming opportunities for businesses of all kinds. Central to that work is state-owned ICT infrastructure provider, PNG DataCo, which is now developing the next phase of the country’s ICT infrastructure. Moving beyond cables and transmission towers, the CEO of PNG DataCo Paul Komboi will outline its ambitious plans for data centres, digital government, public cloud services and more.

• Paul Komboi, GCL, OBE, CEO, PNG DataCo Limited

Powering PNG: an update

Improving the reach and reliability of Papua New Guinea’s electricity grids represents both one of the country’s biggest challenges and one of its major opportunities. One year on from his memorable presentation of the turnaround plan for state utility PNG Power Ltd, CEO Paul Bayly returns to provide an update on its progress and outline the next phases of work.

• Paul Bayly, Managing Director, PNG Power Ltd

The Asian Development Bank’s investment pipeline in Papua New Guinea 

 The Asian Development Bank is one of PNG’s largest sources of official development assistance, providing a total of US$5.4 billion in loans, grants and technical assistance to date, with an average annual lending of US$380 million from 2021 to 2025. Transport and infrastructure are a particular focus, and the ADB also has the ability to take equity positions in key private sector projects. Its Country Director for PNG, Takafumi Kadono, will outline its forward program of investments and detail how the private sector can get involved. 

•  Takafumi Kadono, PNG Country Director, Asian Development Bank 

In conversation: Papua New Guinea’s mining outlook  

With global metals prices sitting at historic highs, PNG’s existing miners are investing heavily to firm up and develop their future reserves. At the same time, juniors are ramping up their exploration activities, with several promising deposits already identified. Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited not only holds the PNG State’s interests in the major Porgera and Ok Tedi mines but also has a mandate to expand its portfolio further and act as a catalyst for the next generation of mining projects. 

• Sarimu Kanu, Managing Director, Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited

Closing remarks and networking lunch