The Investment Promotion Authority (IPA), in collaboration with the Business Council of Papua New Guinea (BCPNG) and the PNG Diaspora Business Council of Australia (PNGDBCA), has welcomed a three-day visit to Papua New Guinea by a 35-member PNG-Australia Diaspora Trade and Investment Delegation.
The delegation, comprising Papua New Guinean professionals, business owners, and industry leaders based in Australia, participated in a Trade and Investment Conference held from 1–3 February 2026 at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby.
The delegation’s visit, facilitated by IPA and BCPNG, aimed to create structured pathways for trade, investment, and skills transfer between PNG and its diaspora community in Australia.
PNG Business Council President Susil Nelson in her keynote address highlighted the importance of the initiative as a platform for trade, skills transfer, and service development.
She further described the initiative as an avenue for “brain gain,” noting the willingness of Papua New Guineans in Australia to contribute to the country’s growth across skills development, social services, health, education, business, and trade.
The PNGDBCA, a first-of-its-kind diaspora-led business council, has been developed with the full backing of the BCPNG and aligns closely with bilateral Australia-PNG economic priorities. The visiting diaspora delegation represented five key business sectors including; Professional Services, Consulting & Education, Real Estate, Construction & Engineering, Manufacturing, Trade & Logistics, Retail, Fashion & Personal Care, Tourism, Media & Creative Industries.
The delegation’s engagement represents a unique strategic opportunity to advance two-way trade, investment, and sustainable economic development between both countries.
This initiative, currently in its incubation phase under the BCPNG, also marks the first structured trade and investment mission led by the PNG diaspora which is strengthening diaspora-led economic cooperation and people-to-people trade.
During their visit, delegates engaged directly with senior government representatives, private sector partners, and development institutions. The program included high-level interactions such as the Prime Minister’s Business Leaders Breakfast, official briefings with IPA, trade and investment roundtables with government and industry leaders, sector-specific business matching sessions, site visits, industry engagements, and formal networking events.
Key government agencies participating in the program included the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA), Internal Revenue Commission (IRC), Australian High Commission to PNG, National Fisheries Authority, Trade Commission Office, PNG Business Council, and other regulatory bodies and dignitaries.
The PNGDBCA delegation included a broad spectrum of Papua New Guinean-owned businesses in Australia which includes Franchise Ecosystem PNG, Allen Export Pty Ltd,Orange Guide, Impact Media PNG, Aviation Labour Group Talent, Winter Recruitment & Visa Services, Ruthz Management Solutions, Malana (Aust) Pty Ltd (Trustee for the Malana Family Trust),Amyblu Island Essential, Strategise PNG Ltd, Supa Insulation, Realcrete Australia Pty Ltd, Wantok Solution Pty Ltd, Ephana Enterprise Ltd, Wantok Travel Services, Maureen Sause (Certified Coach), Bopy’s Clothing & Beige Petroleum Ltd, 333 Solutions, BushMahn 4WD, Strike Group Australia Pty Ltd, JOJEM RESOURCES Pty Ltd, Midire & Co, Australia Sepik Foundation Limited, Onstech Pty Ltd, Kalakai Collective, AIATSIS, ASL Downunder, Yarap and TommyWaiherTrans Co.
IPA’s Director of Investor Servicing and Promotions Peter Daroa presented on the agency’s mandate, current investment trends, challenges, and growth opportunities. He highlighted key business environment issues including law and order, unemployment, inflation, and accessibility constraints.
Daroa also emphasised that these challenges represent priority investment areas, particularly in security and surveillance solutions, labour mobility programs, and export expansion.
Daroa noted that the PNG diaspora population in three key countries which are Australia (29,995 - by birth, 22,664 -by ancestry), the United Kingdom (1,536), and the United States (1,453) is estimated at approximately 33,000 people, a relatively small figure compared to other Pacific nations:
Delegates shared insights on their businesses and experiences in engaging with PNG. The conference underscored the growing commitment of the PNG diaspora community in Australia to reconnect economically with their homeland, through both dialogue and through actionable partnerships, investment, and collaboration.
