The PNG Economic Mission, which PIC and Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) jointly organized、was successfully conducted with 14 participants from 9 private companies and others in Port Moresby on February 28-29. We would like to thank everyone who participated, both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Embassy of PNG in Japan as sponsors, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as a cooperator.
The program details for both days, held in the conference hall of the Stanley Hotel, are shown as below. The “PNG-Japan Joint Public-Private Economic Seminar” in the morning on the 28th was a great success, with approximately 150 participants, far exceeding initial expectations.
In the afternoon of the same day, the “Japan PNG Business Forum” was held for the first time, with sessions divided into four areas such as energy, infrastructure, tourism & environment, and agriculture. The discussions were enthusiastic, with around 20 participants at each table, for a total of approximately 80 people.
The evening “Reception” was attended by Minister Win Daki of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Minister Walter Schnaubelt, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, who were both there on short notice, showing the enthusiasm of the PNG side.
On the following day (the 29th), more than 30 PNG government ministries and private companies registered for individual interviews with 13 Japanese companies (including 4 Japanese companies participating under the METI-supported project scheme). A lively exchange of ideas took place for over 4 hours.
In addition, in the evening of the day prior to the mission (27th), a reception was held by the Embassy of Japan in PNG, where Ambassador Watanabe and the participating Japanese companies had a frank exchange of opinions.
PNG JAPAN ECONOMIC MISSION AND BUSINESS FORUM
28th FEBRUARY 2024 AT THE STANLEY HOTEL, PORT MORESBY, PNG.
PROGRAM
| Tuesday 27th February 2024 | Travel Day | |
| Japanese Delegation team lead by PIC travel to POM, PNG | Check-in at Stanley Hotel | |
| Time | Activity/Presentation | Presenter |
| 17:30-20:00 | Welcome dinner reception at Embassy of Japan, hosted by Japanese Ambassador to PNG, Mr. Nobuyuki Watanabe | Japanese Ambassador to PNG, Mr. Nobuyuki Watanabe and Japanese delegation |
| Wednesday 28th February 2024 | Stanley Hotel- POM | |
| 1ST SESSION | ||
| Time | Activity/Presentation | Presenter |
| 08:30-09:00 | Arrival & Registration | IPA |
| 09:00 -09:15 | Welcome & Introduction | IPA MD |
| 09:15-09:45 | Opening Remarks | -IPA Board Chairman Mr. Leon Buskens -Japanese Ambassador to PNG Mr. Nobuyuki Watanabe |
| 09:50 -10:10 | Brief introduction about the Seminar & Forum | PIC Director – Saito-san |
| 10:10–10:30 | General Business needs and Investment environment in PNG | IPA -MD Mr. Clarence Hoot |
| 10:30-10:45 | Tourism Sector needs and investment environment in PNG | Tourism Promotion Authority – Executive Manager Ms. Ingrid Kuman |
| 10:45-10:55 | Japan’s ODA in PNG, Activities of JICA | JICA Rep. in PNG Mr. Hideaki Matsuoka |
| 10:55-11:15 | Mid-term report on trade with Japan in PNG/Melanesian & Investment F/S from Japan | Qunie Cooperation Rep. Mr. Keisuke Nishikawa |
| 11:15-11:35 | GROUP PHOTO SESSION & MORNING TEA BREAK | All Participants |
| 2ND SESSION | ||
| 11:35-11:50 | Business Opportunities in PNG for Private Sector | President PNG Chamber of Commerce & Industry/Business Council of PNG Mr. Rio Fuicco |
| 11:50-12:10 | Challenges for Japanese Companies to investing in PNG | Open Bay Timber Ltd Mr. Takashi Fujita |
| 12:10 -12:30 | Business development and prospects for Japanese companies in Melanesia | Vanuatu Based Japanese Company – Windsor Hotel International Ltd Mr. Hironobu Ohsuka |
| 12:30-12:45 | Business opportunities in POM and SEZ | President Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce & Industry Mr. Gudmundur Fridriksson |
| 12:45- 12:55 | Q&A | Mr. Yalakun and Mr. Saito (IPA and PIC) |
| 12:55-14:20 | LUNCH BREAK | All participants |
| 14:20-15:30 | Round Table Discussions -Japanese companies, PNG government officials and private companies to sit at each table by sector and exchange opinions including networking |
Japan & PNG |
| 15:30- 16:00 | Wrap -Up | |
| 16:00- 16:30 | Closing Remarks | IPA MD Mr. Clarence Hoot |
| Evening Cocktail Reception | All participants | |
| 17:00 -17:20 | Opening remarks | IPA Board Chairman Mr. Leon Buskens |
| 17:20-17:35 | Toast | Ambassador Watanabe – Japanese Ambassador to PNG |
| 17:35-19:00 | Chat and networking | PNG & JAPAN |
| 19:30 | Closing Remarks | IPA |
| Thursday 29th February 2024 | POM, PNG | |
| Whole Day | Individual B2B, & B2G meetings with PNG related ministries/organizations and private companies | Stanley Hotel/IPA Office |
| Friday 30th February 2024 | Travel Day | |
| Japanese Delegates depart POM, PNG for Japan | PNG-JAPAN | |
