How a new airport in PNG will build Cairns businesses

A new international airport in Papua New Guinea will provide strong business opportunities for Cairns companies.

Mayor Bob Manning welcomes a government, cultural and business delegation from CairnsÕ Sister City of Lae, Papua New Guinea. Neil Ellery, the CEO Lae City Authority, Mayor Bob Manning and Member for Lae John Rosso. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

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CAIRNS business owners and managers are being urged to take part in a trade delegation that could provide opportunities via a new international airport.

Tradelinked PNG Pacific is leading a Cairns business delegation to Lae and Port Moresby in October.

Facilitator Deb Maguire said a new international airport was due to open in Lae in 2021, with the possibility of direct links between Cairns and Lae.

She said the delegation would be supported on the ground in Lae by Australian Consul General Lae Paul Murphy and his team as well as by Lae Chamber of Commerce president John Byrne.

“The timing of the delegation has been chosen to coincide with the Morobe Agricultural Show in Lae and a Tradelinked PNG business networking event in Port Moresby, which regularly attracts over 150 business leaders and is well regarded as a premium business networking event for the city.

“In Port Moresby we will be connecting with Austrade and the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Since 1984, the cities of Lae and Cairns have been affiliated as sister cities.

“The intent of the delegation is to continue developing mutually beneficial business relationships between Cairns and PNG as well as introducing delegates to the potential markets of Lae and Port Moresby for their products and services.”

Industry sectors of interest are education and training, mining/mining services, tourism and cultural activities, aviation and marine, agribusiness, industrial and commercial manufacturing and distribution/services, construction/refurbishment services, environmental solutions and business development/professional services.

Originally published as How a new airport in PNG will build Cairns businesses