Bruce Davis

Envoy stresses on foreign investment

“It creates more job opportunities and is essential for economic growth,” said Australian High Commissioner, Bruce Davis, during the 35th Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum & Trade Expo on June 17th.

“In Australia, trade and foreign investment has helped drive over 30 years of uninterrupted economic growth. One in five jobs in Australia exist because of our trade activities. Trade and foreign investment bring new skills and knowledge and is an important source of funding for technology and innovation enterprises.

Over K2m to back referendum commission

The first $500,000 (K1.2m) has already been made available through the United Nation Development Programme’s Bougainville Referendum Support Project.

The funding is intended to support the Commission to assist in the conduct of a credible referendum, as is the wish of both the Papua New Guinea and Autonomous Bougainville governments. It is part of the K120 million per year provided by Australia to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville through the Papua New Guinea Australia Partnership.

Biggest hurdle facing policymakers: Envoy

Speaking at the National Law and Order Summit on August 8th, Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis said around 50 percent of Papua New Guineans are younger than 24 years of age.

“As in every country, these young people have great potential and are a huge pool of energy and talent. The challenge is to provide them with meaningful opportunities to contribute positively to Papua New Guinea’s future prosperity,” he stated.

New academic building for nursing school

Health Secretary Pascoe Kase and Australian High Commissioner, Bruce Davis, opened the new academic building at the Lae School of Nursing today.

The major infrastructure upgrade support valued at approximately K25 million is part of the ANGAU Hospital redevelopment project, an initiative under the Joint Understanding between the governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia.

Partnership puts focus on local priorities

The Partnership Arrangement for Improved Decentralisation and Service Delivery was recently signed at Parliament House by Kevin Isifu, Minister for Inter-Government Relations; Richard Maru, Minister for National Planning and Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis.

The Partnership will support Papua New Guinea’s priority of improving service delivery, economic opportunities and community development by empowering provinces and districts.

​Aust set to boost PNG tourism

In a recent introductory meeting with the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Emil Tammur, Australian High Commissioner, Bruce Davis, reaffirmed the willingness of his government to support and assist tourism projects and programs in preparation for APEC 2018 and beyond.

Both leaders discussed on how best they would work together to develop the industry and ensure maximum benefits from the sector reach the local people at the community level across the country.

PNG, Aust speakers meet on sustainable futures

The Australia-Papua New Guinea Network and the Australian High Commission hosted experts from a range of sectors to workshop topics in sustainable development and the environment. 

 Participants included representatives from government, business and civil society who discussed shared environmental challenges and opportunities for innovation and improvement.

Discussions included Indigenous resource management and practices, climate change, regulatory frameworks for environmental management and intersections between the environment and private sector.

Australian envoy to visit NRI

The purpose of the official visit is to announce the Australian Government’s support for the PNG NRI 2017 Research Program, and its support to the APEC Study Centre at the PNG NRI.

High Commissioner Davis and his delegates will first tour the refurbished Thomas Webster Research Building, then the proposed APEC Study Centre, followed by a meeting with the PNGNRI management at the PNG NRI Board Room.

 

Aust Consul gets down to business in Lae

This is in recognition of the expanding trade partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia, and the growing profile of Lae, Morobe Province.

The Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis was onsite at the Lae International Hotel, as operations commenced at the temporary office.

Davis formally thanked Australia’s Honorary Consul, Alan McLay, and former Honorary Consul, Phil Franklin, for their service over many years to assist Australians on behalf of the Australian Government.

Medical ship ready for new deployment in PNG

An addition to this year’s program is another patrol tender donated by AusAID which will be used to transport health care teams and supplies to extremely remote areas  through  the MV YWAM PNG.

This will be in collaboration with local health authorities.

YWAM medmical ships Managing Director, Ken Mulligan says the new patrol tender will increase capacity to help mobilize training and health care patrols over large distances and strengthen the rural health sector.