The Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council (APNGBC) continued its engagement with government representatives, development partners and businesses through three recent events aimed at strengthening bilateral relationships and identifying new opportunities for trade and investment.
APNGBC hosted a roundtable briefing with Jamie Isbister, Australia’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, ahead of his posting. Council members shared their experiences of operating in Papua New Guinea, highlighting investment opportunities, practical challenges and the importance of building strong local relationships to achieve successful business outcomes.
The roundtable in Brisbane.
APNGBC also met with Brenton Kanowski, Australia’s Consul-General in Lae, for a midterm briefing and discussions on the business environment. Reatau M. Rau, Papua New Guinea’s Consul-General in Brisbane, also participated in the Council’s recent engagements. The discussions provided opportunities for members to exchange views with diplomatic representatives and contribute firsthand perspectives on issues affecting Australian businesses operating in Papua New Guinea.
Meanwhile, APNGBC Operations and Business Members Manager Michelle Wu attended the Asian Development Bank Business Opportunities Forum 2026 in Manila as part of an Austrade delegation.
The forum brought together Australian businesses, ADB representatives, development partners and industry participants from across the region to discuss upcoming projects, investment prospects and opportunities for private-sector participation in development initiatives.
A session at the ADB Business Opportunities Event in Manila
Michelle’s participation provided an opportunity to bring a Pacific perspective to these discussions, explore emerging business opportunities and establish connections that could help Australian companies contribute expertise and develop long-term partnerships in Papua New Guinea and across the region.
Together, the engagements reflect APNGBC’s continuing efforts to strengthen dialogue between businesses, governments and development institutions, while supporting greater Australian trade and investment in Papua New Guinea.
