Interviews

The CEO of expanding security firm Black Swan International believes a successful long-term approach to security involves decreasing risk, decreasing costs and increasing productivity. Brian Kelly spoke to Business Advantage PNG.

For the last 18 months, leading Lae manufacturer K K Kingston has been consolidating and restructuring. CEO Michael Kingston talks to Business Advantage PNG about the company’s strategy, his optimism for the future, and the issues facing businesses in Papua New Guinea.

For the last six years, officials from 14 member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum have been negotiating with Australia and New Zealand to set up a free trade agreement, known as PACER-Plus. The Pacific’s Chief Trade Adviser on PACER-Plus is Ghanian-born Australian, Dr Edwini Kessie, who tells Business Advantage PNG that labour mobility and the future of development assistance are two key stumbling blocks.

David Morris is the Pacific’s new Trade Commissioner to Beijing. He talks to Business Advantage PNG about the changing nature of China’s economy and the trade and investment opportunities for the Pacific Islands that can arise from being part of China’s new ‘Maritime Silk Road’.

The new CEO of Digicel PNG believes the company will evolve into a provider of content rather than simply a provider of pipes for consumers. Formerly Pacific Regional CEO, Maurice McCarthy told Business Advantage PNG the first priority is to expand access to Digicel’s networks.

Last week, independent arbitration upheld InterOil’s decision to sell a gross 40% shareholding in the Elk-Antelope LNG project to French super major, Total SA. Total’s Managing Director in PNG, Philippe Blanchard, talks exclusively to Business Advantage PNG about the arbitration result and Total’s plans for the project.

Papua New Guinea’s PNG LNG project has a new leader: Andrew Barry. ExxonMobil PNG’s new Managing Director speaks exclusively to Business Advantage PNG about the future of PNG’s largest resources project and the impact of lower global gas prices.

With construction and first shipment of gas completed ahead of time, the giant ExxonMobil-led PNG LNG project has proven Papua New Guinea is a viable place to carry out major resources projects. In this exclusive valedictory interview with Business Advantage PNG, outgoing ExxonMobil PNG Managing Director Peter Graham reflects on the lessons learned.

Despite a takeover of its Canadian parent by Spanish energy company, Respol, it’s business as usual for Talisman Energy PNG as it develops the Stanley gas field. Vice President and General Manager Grant Christie explains to Business Advantage PNG what 2015 holds.

Telecommunications wholesaler PNG DataCo Limited has been set up as part of a restructure of Papua New Guinea’s telecommunications industry. Business Advantage PNG discusses its critical role with its Chairman Reuben Kautu, an entrepreneur with a strong background of commercial and strategic management, developed during roles with BP, ExxonMobil and, more recently, Telikom PNG’s subsidiary Kalang Advertising Limited.