Address to the Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum and Trade Expo

Today I will deliver the keynote address at the 34th Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum and Trade Expo in Brisbane. The Forum will bring together 500 business representatives from Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The Forum highlights the strong and growing economic ties between Australia and PNG. Australian investment in PNG totalled almost $18 billion in 2016, and two-way trade was worth $6 billion in 2016-17. 

The Forum’s theme, ‘APEC 2018: Achievements and Opportunities,’ will showcase PNG’s APEC host year. APEC is an opportunity for PNG to promote its investment potential to the world and show leadership on free and open trade and investment. 

I commend the Australia-PNG Business Council and the Business Council of PNG for their important role in driving increased trade, investment and economic development opportunities between Australia and PNG.