australia papua new guinea business council one hundred and fifty ...

WORK PROGRAM 2011.
A. 27th AUSTRALIA PAPUA NEW GUINEA BUSINESS FORUM, MADANG, SUNDAY 15
TO TUESDAY 17 MAY 2011.
The committee noted that the accounts for the Forum are still being finalised by the Council’s
PNG Branch and the Business Council of Papua New Guinea.
WORK PROGRAM 2012.
A. REVIEW OF APEC BUSINESS TRAVEL CARD.
On 28 June the Department of Immigration and Citizenship provided an update on Stage 2
implementation for changes to the APEC Business Travel Card. A copy of that advice, and a
response by the President, were tabled.
B. RELATIONS WITH AUSAID.
The President and Executive Director reported that on 21 August 2012 they will attend in
Canberra the launch by the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Bob Carr, of
AusAID’s new private sector engagement strategy.
C. ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION TREATY
A response in the negative to the President’s letter dated 12 June 2012 seeking inclusion of a
Council representative to observe negotiation sessions has been received. The letter offers the
opportunity of a briefing, but unfortunately a suitable time for all parties has not yet been found.
A further round of negotiations is expected to take place in October/November.
D. AUSTRALIA PAPUA NEW GUINEA BILATERAL BUSINESS AND OFFICIALS
COMMITTEE.
The committee noted that we have proposed to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade, that the meeting deferred from early August be held in Port Moresby in the week
commencing 5 November. There has so far been no response.
F. POSSIBLE UPGRADED RELATIONSHIP WITH APNGBC MEMBERS IN CAIRNS.
At the initiative of Cam Charlton, who represents Kleinhardt, a member of the Council based in
Cairns and also Chairman of Advance Cairns, the President met with him on 9 August to
discuss interest in Cairns in expanding the relationship between APNGBC members based in
Cairns. The committee agreed this could be further explored provided it did not have the effect
of diluting membership or membership revenue. Further discussions will be held with Mr
Kleinhardt.
G. 28th AUSTRALIA PAPUA NEW GUINEA BUSINESS FORUM, BRISBANE, 13 TO 15
MAY 2012.
The Forum was held in Brisbane from 13 to 15 May 2012. Flash drives containing the Forum
presentations are in the process of being distributed. Accounts for the Forum are still being
finalised, including collection of outstanding registrations fees currently amounting to $8,800.
We expect to collect most of these funds. A further detailed account will be provided at the next
committee meeting.
H. JOINT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING WITH BUSINESS COUNCIL OF PAPUA
NEW GUINEA, PORT MORESBY, 7 AUGUST 2012.
The Council was represented by the President and Executive Director, and several members of
the Council’s PNG Branch. The meeting reviewed progress on issues raised at the Forum in
Brisbane in May 2012, including visa matters on which work is being done in consulting with the
Australian Government both in Canberra and in Port Moresby. Our PNG colleagues are
confident they have an agreement with the Australian High Commission for changes in
procedures which will facilitate the issue of business visas. The meeting decided to hold the
2013 Forum in Port Moresby from 14 to 16 April 2013. This is a little earlier than usual but will
enable this Council to hold its AGM in April prior to the departure of the President for an
extended period. The Forum will be held at The Gateway Hotel. There was a strong wish for
the Forum theme to be around infrastructure, especially power, and the field is open for
members this committee to suggest an actual theme around this topic.