a
M

Home

About

Our Work

Programs

Content Hub

Newsroom

Contact Us

Members

BCPNG President Susil Nelson-Kongoi’s Speech

Feb 26, 2025

On behalf of the President and Executive of the Business Council, welcome and thank for your support and attendance at the 5th 'Back to Business' breakfast.

A specific acknowledgement to the Prime Minister James Marape, for his 8th attendance at our event , to to give so generously of his time to discuss and share the Governmen’s priorities for 2025. I also warmly welcome Mr. Vidovich, the Chief Executive Officer of Kina Bank Limited on his first attendance at the breakfast in his new role. We look forward to hearing Kina Bank’s 2025 outlook and engaging in an insightful panel discussion with PM. As always, thankful for Kina’s ongoing support to partner with Business Council PNG in hosting this national event that brings business leaders from all over the country to engage meaningfully on what the coming year has in store for us.

W’ve just observed a minute’s silence for the late Sir Julius Chan, one of the founding fathers and key architects of our country’s independence.

On the eve of PNG’s 50th celebration of sovereignty and independence, it is fitting that we acknowledge the achievements and efforts of Sir Julius, and a great pity that he will not be there in person to celebrate his greatest legacy.

It is also appropriate to acknowledge other pioneers that we have recently lost, Sir Charles Lepani and Sir Paul Bengo, both part of an incredible cohort of young, dedicated, and vibrant men and women, who ushered in a new nation on September 16th, 1975.

These names, and the names of many PNG hero’s will be remembered and recognised as we make plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the wonderful gift that they have bequeathed to all of us.

My name is Courtney Boustridge, the Treasurer of the Business Council of PNG, and it is my pleasure to welcome you on behalf of our President Susil Nelson-Kongoi and the Executive. Our President could not be with us today and extends her thanks for your attendance and apologies for not being here.

I would now like to deliver our President‟s speech for this occasion….

INTRODUCTION

In order for the Kumul to display elegance, vitality and strength, like all birds, the strength of its wings must prevail. This basic observation is central in the mythology of several regions to describe the necessity of partnership. Where the absence of collaboration, teamwork, bung will not make the family strong: husband and wife; clans and the tribe will be divided. Therefore, the wings must rise, function and operate in unison to display the majestic Kumul.

PARTNERSHIP

 As we reflect on Papua New Guinea and its 50-year journey, where we are today, as a vibrant democratic free nation, the partnership of government and the private sector has played a significant role in our shared prosperity. Through incentives of plantation ownership schemes, our people started becoming active members of the market and in many cases, opened their own bank accounts, a revolution in its own right. The coffee story brought many people to the fertile highlands valleys and together a vibrant economy was created that has brought millions into the 21st century.

Building urban communities to be hubs of trade, commerce and government services forged a vibrant middle class. Recent numbers from banks and financial institutions indicate over a million clients are actively securing homes, actively building their superannuation and securing the next generation of Papua New Guineans affordable health care and quality education.

Perhaps the one demonstrable legacy is the PNG Pasin; leaving no one behind. This is a beacon of the government business partnership. Where the partnership has worked tirelessly to leverage investments to bring positive change to our people. From building energy grids, schools, hospitals to unlocking our natural resources to lift our people out of poverty.

The business story of PNG is a nation buildings story and one all of us in this room should be deeply proud of.

2024 GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

While there is much to be cheerful about, there is also more to do. This is one of the main reasons the PM agreed with the Council last year to continue working towards impactful partnerships and actionable dialogues. As a result, a total of 27 Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings were successfully held, demonstrating a strong commitment to ongoing collaboration and dialogue.

The Business Council also hosted key events, including the 14th PM’s Breakfast, Speakers Breakfast, and Chief Justice’s Breakfast, all of which were successfully executed). Additionally, 3 G2BCFs (Government-to-Business Consultative Forums) were hosted, facilitating critical conversations between the business sector and government officials, and a newly created Task Force hosted its first meeting. Moreover, all 3 PGK (Praivet Gavamani Konekt 1) meetings were successfully executed, further reinforcing the productive partnership between the two sectors.

These conversations fuel change and in critical times when the PM had to lean in for our insights on market reform, he has actively sought our views through this framework. The Council thanks the Chief Secretary and his staff, Executive Director Carmella Gabina and the BCPNG Secretariat, and you the members, for progressing and participating in these important engagements.

2025 FOCUS

Recognising the need to capitalise on these critical engagements, The Council is contributing K400,000.00 this year. This is an increase from the K350,000 we committed last year. This resource will support the following core activities:

  • Business Security Dialogue: As we mentioned last year at this breakfast and based on observations from the last 12 months, heightened crime and violence such as the Jan 10 riots and the violence in Enga is a wake up call to find solutions to arrest this development negator. To kick off this important engagement, after today’s breakfast, the First Praivet Gavamani Konekt will focus on Market Protection both from internal and external threats. Thank you to the 16 experts ranging from security practitioners,to government officials and international analysts that have been closely watching Papua New Guinea's security ecosystem. With over 70 confirmed participants it is a clear indicator this is an important subject for all of us.
  • Strong Economy Dialogue: Complementing the Governor of Bank of Papua New Guinea’s Quarterly Monetary Policy Statements and Treasurer’s Final Budget Outcomes and Mid Year Economic Financial Outlook, the Business Council will undergo critical consultations on the productivity, market performance and the various risks impacting the Private Sector. We are confident these discussions will complement Governments Monetary and Fiscal Policy.
  • MTDP 4 Dialogue: As mentioned by Past President Nuni Kulu, "Nation Building is everybody's business", and the active participation of the Private Sector in the implementation of the MTDP4 is integral. An example that illustrates this observation is the Prime Minister’s “Partial Privatisation of PNG Power Limited” announcement. The market has responded with keen interest on the opportunities that may come from this policy direction. In particular, large energy customers, Independent Power Producers and Investors have all expressed a desire to actively participate in the future of PPL. On that note, the PM has agreed for the Chief Secretary to coordinate activity with the Business Council in his regular Consultative Forum Meetings to hear from the market. Those of you that are keenly following this policy are encouraged to actively participate in these engagements.
  • Futures Forum: emerging technologies and sectors such as AI and biotechnology to bring efficiencies to the market place. This engagement intends to discuss technology adoptions to not only benefit businesses but how these products become accessible to everyone including our vulnerable. Starlink is a global game changer and we are already witnessing its positive impact in the Pacific and remote communities in Australia. We all look forward to their entry into the market so our vulnerable communities can access this impactful technology.
  • Jobs Campaign: Over the past 5 years, through the Fresh Produce Program, the Business Council has engaged over a hundred interns to experience government business relations. It has been an astounding success where they have actively formulated and managed all the Councils engagements and these experiences have been life changing with 95% of them now employed in government and business sectors. We will be hosting a Forum to promote internships as it is evident an internship experience for our college and university students is imperative in Nation Building.

We urge members of the private sector and government officials, cabinet ministers, to walk with Prime Minister and the Council, to actively formulate ideas and drive important change for our country in these important engagements.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

The Business Council of PNG remains committed to working hand-in-hand with the government and all stakeholders to ensure that we continue on the path of sustainable development. By staying united and applying common sense, I believe we can overcome the challenges ahead and make 2025 a year of positive change for everyone. Together, the wings of nation building will prevail. Thank you.

The Business Council of Papua New Guinea (BCPNG), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the European Union-funded Preventing and Countering Corruption in Papua New Guinea Project, brought together leaders from the judiciary, private sector, government, civil society and development partners for a series of engagements focused on strengthening trust, institutional integrity and confidence in Papua New Guinea’s business environment.

The engagements began on 18 August 2026 at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby with the Chief Justice’s Business Breakfast, followed by Private Gavamani Konekt 3 (PGK3). The programme continued on 20 August with a workshop focused on practical tools for strengthening business integrity in the private sector.

Together, the events created a platform for discussing how justice, governance, integrity and innovation intersect with business confidence, investment and sustainable economic development in Papua New Guinea.

Chief Justice’s Business Breakfast: Strengthening Confidence Through Justice and Integrity

Held under the theme “Justice, Integrity and Innovation: Strengthening Markets and Governance in PNG,” the Chief Justice’s Business Breakfast placed the role of strong and trusted institutions at the centre of the discussion.

Chief Justice Sir Gibuna Gibbs Salika highlighted the importance of the rule of law, judicial integrity and institutional confidence in supporting economic activity and national development.

His remarks reinforced the importance of businesses and investors being able to operate in an environment where laws are predictable, contracts can be enforced and disputes can be resolved fairly and efficiently.

The Chief Justice also reflected on continuing reforms within the justice sector, including improved case management, judicial education and the growing use of technology.

Emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, digital evidence, privacy and cybersecurity were highlighted as areas requiring careful consideration as PNG’s justice system and wider economy continue to evolve.

A key message from the breakfast was that innovation must strengthen access to justice, transparency and efficiency while preserving fairness, accountability, judicial independence and sound human judgement.

The discussion also reinforced the connection between strong institutions and the confidence required for investment, commercial activity and long-term economic growth.

PGK3: Connecting Justice, Governance and the Business Environment

Following the breakfast, PGK3 expanded the dialogue through five focused sessions examining issues increasingly important to both government and the private sector.

The forum covered financial crime, anti-money laundering and economic integrity; artificial intelligence, digital evidence and the future of justice; land, the green economy and environmental justice; judicial reform, security and investor confidence; and arbitration, mediation and alternative dispute resolution.

Participants explored how stronger information-sharing, transparency and institutional coordination can contribute to more trusted and resilient markets.

The discussions on financial and economic integrity highlighted the importance of reliable systems, corporate transparency and collaboration between regulators, government agencies and businesses.

Technology also featured prominently throughout PGK3. As more government, financial and commercial systems become digital, the forum recognised the growing importance of cybersecurity, data integrity and responsible approaches to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

The land and environmental justice session considered the need to balance economic development with customary land interests, environmental stewardship and the long-term sustainability of PNG’s natural resources.

Investor confidence and commercial justice were also central themes. Participants considered how efficient judicial processes, predictable regulation and stronger dispute-resolution mechanisms can reduce uncertainty and support a more competitive business environment.

The forum also highlighted the role of mediation and arbitration as practical mechanisms for resolving commercial disputes, potentially reducing delays, transaction costs and pressure on the courts.

Across the discussions, a consistent message emerged: improving PNG’s business environment is not simply about introducing new policies or institutions, but ensuring that existing laws, systems and institutions work effectively and consistently.

Business Integrity Workshop: Moving from Dialogue to Practical Action

The week’s engagements continued on 20 August with the Workshop on Practical Tools for Strengthening Business Integrity in the Private Sector.

The workshop, delivered through the EU-funded PNG Anti-Corruption Project in partnership with UNDP and BCPNG, focused on practical approaches businesses can use to strengthen ethical conduct, compliance and organisational integrity.

Participants examined PNG’s existing anti-corruption framework and considered how private sector organisations can strengthen internal governance and reduce corruption risks.

The workshop also explored a proposed model approach to business integrity, including principles around transparency, accountability, ethical conduct, fair competition, information integrity and responsible engagement with communities.

Whistleblower protection was another important area of discussion, alongside the importance of clear reporting processes, confidentiality and organisational systems that encourage concerns to be raised safely and appropriately.

A strong emphasis was placed on prevention—through education, awareness, clear procedures, ethical leadership and stronger internal systems—rather than relying solely on investigations after misconduct has occurred.

The workshop also provided an opportunity for businesses and stakeholders to contribute practical feedback on how integrity tools could be applied within Papua New Guinea’s private sector.

Building Stronger Institutions Through Collaboration

Taken together, the Chief Justice’s Business Breakfast, PGK3 and the business integrity workshop demonstrated the value of sustained dialogue between the institutions and organisations that influence Papua New Guinea’s economic environment.

For BCPNG, these engagements are an important part of connecting the experiences of businesses with the institutions responsible for justice, regulation, governance and national development.

By bringing the judiciary, private sector, government, civil society and development partners into the same conversation, BCPNG continues to provide a platform for constructive engagement on issues that directly influence business confidence and investment.

The week’s discussions reinforced a clear principle: stronger markets depend on trusted institutions, effective systems and a shared commitment to integrity.

BCPNG will continue to support Government-to-Business dialogue and practical collaboration that contributes to stronger governance, responsible business practices and sustainable economic growth in Papua New Guinea.