Eminent scientist Professor Tim Flannery will be one of the key speakers at this year’s Business Advantage Papua New Guinea Investment Conference at the Sofitel Brisbane Central on 6 and 7 August this year.

Professor Tim Flannery

Professor Tim Flannery has had a long career as advisor to government and business on climate issues, as well as being a broadcaster, a widely published author and a former Australian of the Year.

He will provide a keynote speech to the conference on the opportunities and challenges for PNG business in the low carbon economy of the future.

With the measures agreed to in the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement (to which Papua New Guinea is a signatory, alongside 195 other countries) that comes into effect in 2020, now is a perfect time to understand the implications for business.

Flannery is no stranger to PNG, having conducted ground-breaking scientific research in the country over several years.

Program

Over two days, around 30 additional speakers will examine opportunities across all key sectors of PNG’s economy. With keynotes, panel discussions, case studies and special presentations, the program promises plenty of variety and substance.

Other confirmed speakers include Paul Sayer (Chief Executive Officer, Nambawan Super), Craig Kirkland (Director of Pacific Islands, Mastercard), Paul Statham (Regional Director, Digicel Pacific), David Hill (Country Director—PNG, Asian Development Bank), Carolyn Blacklock (Acting Managing Director, PNG Power Ltd) and Augustine Mano (Managing Director, Mineral Resources Development Corporation).

Infrastructure focus

Infrastructure will be a major focus of the conference, with Day 2 dedicated entirely to it. Delegates will hear from major public and private investors in the country’s infrastructure—in ports, roads, aviation, energy and telecommunications—with logistics and transport also covered.

‘Delegates will learn about ground-breaking innovations.’

Two key themes will also inform the program: innovation and sustainability.

Delegates will learn about ground-breaking innovations from successful PNG entrepreneurs, both large and small.

In addition to Flannery’s keynote speech, they will also learn about how sustainability is already being addressed by business on the ground in PNG.

Conducive environment

The conference organiser is Business Advantage International, publisher of businessadvantagepng.com.

‘As content experts, our goal is to create a program that is topical, balanced and engaging,’ notes Andrew Wilkins, Publishing Director at BAI.

‘We also aim to create an environment in which genuine high-level conversations can take place between decision-makers—conducive surroundings, top-class facilities.

‘These are two things many delegates who attended our successful conference last year at the Shangri-La hotel, Sydney, told us they appreciated’.

Registrations open

Registrations are now open for the conference, which takes place on 6 & 7 August at the Sofitel Brisbane Central, Brisbane, Australia.

To register or view the latest program, visit www.pnginvestmentconference.com.

Further additions to the program are expected to be announced over coming weeks.