On behalf of our Executive Committee Members, I have pleasure in reporting to you an update from the subcommittees from the Business and Development Round Ta-

ble in this issue.

ELECTED EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

OFFICE BEARERS

President: Phil Franklin

Vice President: Richard Flynn Secretary: Jonathan Seeto

Treasurer: David Guinn

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS James Kruse : Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Mark Baker: ANZ Bank Steve Patrick: Gadens Lawyers

Bruce Avenell: American Insurance Group

Geoff Toone: Westpac Bank Mark Hitchcock : Rio Tinto

Greg Worthington-Eyre: Trukai Industries Andrew Barry : Exxon Mobil PNG

Geoff Scahill: Abt JTA Matt Lewis: Hornibrook NGI Ltd

EX OFFICIOS Ex Officio : David Knapton

Austrade

Ex Officio: Bronte Moules

Australian High Commissioner

SECRETARIAT Corporate Services Manager: Nalini Nandanhallt

Accounts Administrator: Naomi Stanley

Phil Franklin—President 2015

Mess age from the P res iden t

Events Calendar:

Early January 2016

Ministerial forum Canberra

2015 4th Qtr Meeting,

WED 16 December, 2015

3pm @ GRAND PAPUA HOTEL

2015 Christmas Drinks WED

16 December 5pm-7pm @

GRAND PAPUA HOTEL

2016 Meet and Greet Function

Wednesday, 3 February 2016

@ Grand Papua Hotel

November 2015 Volume 1, Issue 10

Presidents Report

FEED BACK 31ST PNG AUST BUS

FORUM LAE 17-19 MAY 2015

Business and Development Round

Table / TVET (no meetings this

month)

Media Summary

Sponsors

Contacts

2-3

2

4-5

6-7

7

Contents

Page 2 Volume 1, Issue 10

PRESIDENTS REPORT

November 2015

Business and Development Round Table Steering Committee Meeting: Meeting scheduled for 7 December 2015 at the Australian High Commission. 31st AUSTRALIA PNG BUSINESS FORUM LAE 17 - 19 May 2015 LAE - Forum Feedback Survey There were 17 responses to the survey, with the results reflecting the following highlights:-

31st AUSTRALIA PNG BUSINESS FORUM LAE 17 - 19 May 2015 LAE - Forum Feedback Survey

CONFERENCE VENUE 64.7 % said it was excellent and 29.4% said it was reasonable. Overall only 5.88% said the venue did not meet expec-tations. The comments were:- Awkward sitting positions, difficult to see the speakers. The Lae Inter Haus Win was a great venue. Overall the organization was excellent. Security issues must be attended more effec-tively at the LIH. In view of location, venue was ok – air conditioning inadequate.

TRADE EXPO VENUE 23.5% said it was excellent and 41.2 % said it was reasonable.. “Cramped up/dark/ not enough walking space. Trade Expo needed to be set up closer to the Haus Win & was too cramped. The space is too narrow for visi-tors/exhibitors walk way. Trade area unacceptable. A challenge in this venue. Expo area was too small and cramped – out of way. It would have been better if there was more moving space and better lighting”

MEALS (MORNING TEA/ AFTERNOON TEA / DINNER)

Overall around 94% described meals as excellent / reasonable, only 5% said it did not meet expectations

PROGRAM Overall Program satisfaction 65% said it Excellent and 35% described the Program as reasonable. “Overall, good program and a successful forum. More opportunities for deep interactions in smaller work groups should be facilitated. Not only foreign analysts/academics should be invited, also national ones (for example from local universities). This would enhance richness of information that can be obtained.” REGISTRATION DESK 35% said it excellent and 65% it was reasonable. 41% Excellent and 53% reasonable.

ACCOMMODATION 28% said it was excellent and 64% said it was reasonable.7% said it did not meet expectations.. Adequate but not 5 Star. No wifi at Lae International. WORKSHOPS 41% said it was Excellent and 53% reasonable.

Executive Committee APNGBC 4th Quarter meeting 2015 The scheduled date for this meeting is Wednesday, 16 December 2015. Venue—Grand Papua Hotel followed by Christmas drinks.

Philip D Franklin President

Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 10 November 2015

Page 4 November 2015

Role of Partnerships in Agriculture and Agribusiness in the Indo Pacific Region Submission to the Joint Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs. On 10 November 2015, APNGBC made a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, addressing the Role of Partnerships in Agriculture and Agribusiness in the Indo Pacific Region. The Submission addressed Item 3 of the terms of reference: “The particular roles of Agricultural innovation in supporting agricultural and inclusive economic growth” And Item 5 “The current and potential role of the private sector, including small developing-country entrepreneurs and larger Aus-tralian and international businesses, in driving inclusive and sustainable development in Indo-Pacific agriculture and food value chains; Innovative modalities and practices that would enhance the contribution of all relevant stakeholders in supporting agricultural development, better nutrition and inclusive economic growth in the Indo-Pacific region.” A brief review of the lessons learned and progress reporting from 2 major currently funded Ausaid projects The (Australian Council for International Agricultural Research and the PNG Incentive Fund was conducted. Our focus is on how the private sector can engage in with the program design of existing programs to improve development outcomes. APNGBC directs its efforts towards engaging with the governments of both Australia and Papua New Guinea to enhance “private sector engagement”. APNGBC members are interested in social responsibilities and keen to assist in pov-erty reduction. Our objective is improved development impact via employment creation, and this paper focus steps that can be taken to leverage of the excellent work that has been completed thus far by both projects and participate in moving the develop-ment outcomes forward to the next level by using the private sector as a delivery mechanism. Our contention is that our membership base is able to assist in the implementation and decision-making framework for all of the above in all donor funded programs. The private sector needs to be part of the implementation and oversight management team of these projects so that it can provide informed advice to identify and fund important maintenance and upgrades to local infrastructure such as roads and wharfs relevant to improving agricultural production. If you are interested in a copy of the full submission, please contact the secretariat ie apngbc@apngbc.org.pg Outcomes of the Joint committee are available on the DFAT website or email Committee, JSCFADT (REPS) [JSCFADT@aph.gov.au] Sonya Fladun Inquiry Secretary, Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Suite R1 - 120, Parliament House, PO Box 6021, CANBERRA ACT 2600 Phone: (02) 6277 4318 | Fax: (02) 6277 2221 | email: sonya.fladun.reps@aph.gov.au

The New Colombo Plan The Australian Government has committed $A100 million (about K216.9m) in new funding over five years to implement the New Colombo Plan. They will study a broad range of subjects including history at the Pacific Adventist University; anthropology at the University of Papua New Guinea and at Kunguma Haus Poroman; health at the Kavieng Hospital; and medical studies at the Namatanai district hospital, Port Moresby General Hospital, Wewak General Hospital and Alotau General Hospital. If you require any further information—please contact the secretariat - apngbc@apngbc.org.pg. We are in the process of acquiring a summary kit.

Phil Franklin MBE

President

Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council (PNG

Page 5 November 2015

AID—AUSTRALIA

Bilateral Affairs, Trade & Investment

Each month the APNGBC NEWSLETTER provides a summary of local media and issues that we consider relevant news to our members . These Media Reports do not necessarily reflect the views of members.

The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific region by support-ing Australia undergraduate students to study and undertake internships in 38 hosts locations. The Australian Government has committed $A100 million (about K216.9m) in new funding over five years to implement the New Colombo Plan. (source: Post Cou-rier, Date 11/11/15 P6).

PNG WOMENS CCI has been established –16 members and they have arranged an upskilling program funded by ABV. President Aiva Koisen. 29 Oct 2015 p42

Public Enterprise and State Investments Minister Ben Micah says no contracts have been awarded to any international company to manage the port and stevedoring services in Lae and Port Moresby. There is a shortlist for the terminal operator job with PNG Ports. These two projects are of international standards and will make PNG an international shipping hub connecting Asia to the Pacific, Aus-tralia and New Zealand. Companies who will win the bid will be obliged to work with landowners companies not only in stevedoring but in many other business benefits. (Source: The National, 9/11/15 p3)

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has received a courtesy call from the Australian Opposition Leader Bill Shorten on Monday 2 November 2015. During the meeting the Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the ongoing strong relationship between Australia and PNG and between members of Parliament form both countries. During their meeting, both leaders discussed issues o significance to the bilaterial relationship as well as regional issues of concern including climate change. PM O’Neill called for the adoption of a legally binding agreement on climate change to come from the COP21 conference. (source : Post Courier 4/11/2015 p8)

Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Rimbink Pato is optimistic that a suitable travel arrangement will be reached between PNG and Australia for their citizens. It has been proposed that a joint study by PNG and Australia officials be conducted on the joint Trans-Tasman travel arrangements that Australia has with New Zealand. (Source: The National, 3/11/15, p 3)

For the 2nd year in a row Newcrest mining did not pay its shareholders a dividend.30/11/2015 Post Courier p23

Economic & Infrastructure

Volume 1, Issue 10

Manus Island Regional Processing Centre

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop announced funding of A$5 million (K10.2m) towards drought relief efforts in the country. The funding for PNG will specifically be to improve food security by providing seed stocks for drought-resistant crops. (source: The National Paper 9/11/15 p 5)

Papua New Guinea wants Australia to be the voice of the Pacific Islands at the United Nations Climate change summit in Paris conference next month. Several Pacific Island nations have been vocally critical of what they believe is the Australian govern-ment’s lack of ambition to slash carbon emission with a 2030 target of 26-28 per cent reduction on 2005 levels. (Source: The Na-tional, 3/11/15, pg8)

Pacific Marine Industrial Zone—will start work now that the legal battles are over and loan from China Exim Bank have been in-stated.30/11/2015 Post Courier— p 23 .

PM O’Neill raised during a visit with Bill shorten on Monday 2 November 2015., shared policy engagement issues, including the process-

ing of of asylum seekers at facilities on Manus and development support. There have been difficulties experienced in receiving and proc-

essing asylum seekers on Manus and we have made considerable progress. (source: The National Paper Date 4/11/15 p8)

Have you visited our website?

www.apngbc.org.pg

Page 6 Volume 1, Issue November 2015

Established in 1980 the Council is a non-profit association of Australia-based businesses with interests in Papua New Guinea. The management of the Council is vested under the constitution in an Executive Committee, headed by a President

and three Vice-Presidents, elected at an Annual General Meeting of members.

The Council’s goals are to advance the interest of Australia business in Papua New Guinea by:

1. increasing trade and investment between Australia and Papua New Guinea;

2. encouraging the further development and expansion of the Papua New Guinea economy;

3. representing Australian business interests to the Australian and Papua New Guinea governments;

4. providing a network of business people with shared interests in Papua New Guinea.

Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council PNG

PO Box 1621, Port Moresby NCD

Level 2, IPA Haus, Lawes Road, Konedobu

Phone: 321 0966/321 3057

Mobile: 7283 4313

WH AT IS THE AUS TR ALI A P AP U A NE W G U INE A B US INE S S COUNC I L?

HO W D OE S THE C OUNC I L AC H IE VE I TS G O ALS ?

The Council advances Australian business interests in Papua New Guinea through:

the holding of trade, investment and information seminars on Papua New Guinea:

participation in regular bilateral Ministerial talks to discuss major policy issues of concern to Australian busi-

ness;

submissions to government on policy matters affecting Australian business interests in Papua New Guinea:

the receiving and sending of trade and investment delegations between Australia and Papua New Guinea:

dissemination to members of information on current economic, political and social developments in Papua New

Guinea:

providing access to a network of Australian businesses with long experience in Papua New Guinea with whom

members can seek and share information.

PNG PUBLIC

HOLIDAYS— 2015 New Year’s Day—Thu JAN 1

Good Friday—Fri APRIL 3

Easter Saturday—Sat APRIL 4

Easter Sunday—Sun APRIL 5

Easter Monday—Mon APRIL 6

Queen’s Birthday—Sat JUNE 13

National Remembrance Day –

Thurs JULY 23

National Repentance Day—Wed

AUG 26

Independence Day—Wed SEPT 16

Christmas Day—Fri DEC 25

Boxing Day—Sat DEC 26

Office closed from Monday

21 December - Sunday 3

January inclusive

Office reopens 4 January

2015.

Have you visited our website?

www.apngbc.org.pg

Please note change in Domain name: apngbc@apngbc.org.pg Nalini Nandanhallt Corporate Services Manager Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council (PNG)Tel: + 675 321 0966 Mobile: +675 7283 4313 Email: apngbc@apngbc.org.pg Naomi Stanley Accounts Administrator Ph 321 0966 Mobile: +725 76047 Email: nstanley@apngbc.org.pg

Volume 1, Issue