More than 170 Cairns businesses looking to export their services and expertise into Papua New Guinea will learn more about the process at a forum in Cairns this week.

The ‘Partnering with PNG’ forum, co-hosted by Advance Cairns and the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, will feature a panel session and key guest presenters offering extensive and current business experience working with, and in PNG.

David Conn, Chief Executive Officer with the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry will provide ‘warts and all’ advice on what it takes to be involved in the PNG market, while Carl Valentine, a Port Moresby partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers with significant experience in the PNG market, will provide attendees with direct information about the technicalities of doing business with PNG.

Mr Conn and Mr Valentine will join a four-person panel, for interactive discussions, that will include Kevin Byrne, Queensland Government Special Trade Representative to PNG, and Jeremy Blockey, President of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce.

Advance Cairns Chief Executive Officer Ross Contarino said the forum formed part of the organisation’s PNG trade strategy project, and would give local businesses first-hand insights into the workings of the PNG business community from people currently working and operating there.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce President Jeremy Blockey said the Chamber and Advance Cairns had for some time been collaborating on a process to secure increased business relationships between Cairns and PNG, which has been done through targeted trade missions and specific strategies. “We wish to highlight the fact that companies wanting to be involved in this market need to be well informed and suitably prepared,” Mr Blockey said. “To assist with this effort our organisations have invited two PNG-based experts to provide us with the Good Oil direct from the frontline.” 

‘Partnering with PNG Forum’

Date: Wednesday, April 21

Time: 3pm – 6pm

Venue: Shangri-La Hotel Ballroom