Registrations are now open for the 2015 Papua New Guinea Advantage Investment Summit, to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in Brisbane, Australia on 27 and 28 August.

The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre’s Boulevard Auditorium – the location for the 2015 PNG Advantage Investment Summit

Now in its fifth year, the Summit brings together investors and business people from around the world to focus on business and investment opportunities in PNG.

Last year’s event in Port Moresby attracted more than 300 delegates and the event’s organisers expect an even larger turnout this year.

International event

‘The Summit will be the only PNG-focused business event in Australia this year and will take place just two weeks before the 40th anniversary of PNG’s independence, so we expect a lot of interest’ said David Conn, CEO of Summit co-host, the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

‘Australia is still PNG’s largest trading partner and single largest investor, so it makes sense to have the event there, after three years in Port Moresby.

‘This is a genuinely international event, however, and we are inviting delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as Europe and the Americas.’

Program

Day One of the Summit will focus on investment opportunities across PNG’s economy, while Day Two will again focus exclusively on infrastructure and transport.

The program will feature a high level roster of speakers, including international guests and local business leaders. Confirmed participants so far include:

• Prime Minister Peter O’Neill (invited)
• Loi M Bakani, Governor, Bank of Papua New Guinea
• Peter Williams, Chief Edge Officer, Deloitte Centre for the Edge
• Peter Botten, Managing Director, Oil Search Limited
• Wapu Sonk, Managing Director, National Petroleum Company of PNG
• Frank Kramer, CEO, Kramer Ausenco
• Mahesh Patel, Chairman, CPL Group
• Carolyn Blacklock, Regional Manager Pacific, Hawkins Infrastructure

The event will use a variety of session formats such as moderated panel discussions, question-and-answer sessions and short case studies, to ensure delegates are fully engaged. There will also be a trade expo.

The preliminary program for the Summit is now on line on the Summit website, www.pngadvantageconference.com, which is also now accepting delegate registrations.