Twitter, the world’s fastest-growing social media platform, will make a presentation to delegates of the Papua New Guinea Advantage international investment summit in Port Moresby next month, organisers have confirmed.

It will mark the first time a representative from the online giant, which has over half a billion users worldwide, has visited PNG.

‘Technology is one of the focuses of this year’s summit and Twitter are right at the cutting edge of mobile marketing for business,’ explains David Conn of conference co-host, the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry. ‘With PNG expanding its internet infrastructure, business people here need to understand the shape of things to come in social media marketing.’

In the past three years, Twitter’s revenues have grown from US$45 million to US$400 million, mainly driven by increased business participation.

Twitter’s Marie Sornin

Twitter will be represented by internet and e-commerce expert Marie Sornin, recently appointed to Twitter’s Pacific region office in Sydney, which opened last month. In addition to presenting at the summit, Sornin will conduct private meetings with senior business leaders.

Stellar line-up

Twitter’s participation completes a stellar line-up for this year’s two-day PNG Advantage Summit, which will be opened by PNG’s Prime Minister Peter O’Neill on 9 September.

Other key speakers include Public Enterprises minister Ben Micah; Karin Finkelston, the International Finance Corporation’s Vice President for Asia-Pacific; renowned Australian economist Tim Harcourt; and Bank of PNG Governor Loi M Bakani.

In addition, there will be special panel sessions on equity investment, investing in PNG’s provinces, infrastructure and transport; technology; and food security.

Investment goal

‘The goal of this event is to help local and international business people learn more about the many business and investment opportunities in PNG—not just in mining and petroleum, but in all sectors of the economy,’ says Andrew Wilkins of co-host Business Advantage International. ‘We’re looking forward to giving our delegates a stimulating two days.’

Registrations are still available for the Papua New Guinea Advantage 2013, which takes place on 9 and 10 September at Port Moresby’s Gateway Hotel.

Interested parties can register online here.