MEDIA RELEASE
28 May 2008
For immediate release
AUSTRALIA AND PNG - NATURAL INVESTMENT PARTNERS
Businesses in Papua New Guinea and Australia have much in common and are natural investment partners, according to Australia’s Pacific Investment Commissioner Mr Bob Carmichael who visited PNG between 18 and 24 May 2008.
Mr Carmichael was here to evaluate over 130 investment inquiries received by the Austrade Port Moresby office in response to a call for submissions. Mr Carmichael’s aim was to match up Australian partners with local PNG businesses.
“The visit was an outstanding success and served to highlight the role of the Pacific Investment Commissioner, as well as bring together potential Australia-PNG business partnerships,” said Mr John Brand, Austrade’s Senior Trade Commissioner, based in Port Moresby.
Mr Carmichael travelled to Port Moresby and Lae and met a large number of project proponents, including from regional centres.
The proposed projects covered a range of sectors, from construction and engineering to education and training services, and ranged significantly in value.
Mr Brand expressed his appreciation for the support of PNG’s Investment Promotion Authority and local chambers of commerce who provided valuable suggestions and input during the Pacific Investment Commissioner’s visit to PNG.”
“We look forward to collaborating with these organisations in assisting the PNG investment proponents and building on the already strong Australia-PNG bilateral trade and investment relationship,” said Mr Brand.
The Pacific Investment Commissioner role is a joint initiative of AusAID and Austrade.
Media Inquiries: John Brand, Austrade Senior Trade Commissioner, T: 325 9333 ext 252