World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF)

The international event, which drew participation from 150 international delegates representing 14 countries, as well as 350 participants from all corners of Papua New Guinea ended on Thursday, October 26.

Marape, speaking on behalf of the people of Papua New Guinea, extended his profound gratitude to WIBF for selecting Port Moresby as the host city. He conveyed his appreciation to all international delegates who graced the event with their presence.

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop, who is heading the event planning and preparations, met with Prime Minister James Marape to give an update and says he is confident the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) will execute a spectacular event that would leave a lasting impression on the visitors.

The Government wants to use the WIBF platform to connect and expand business linkages with Indigenous peoples in countries, besides the traditional channels of bilateral and multi-lateral relations through diplomacy.

Steamships through its hospitality division, Coral Sea Hotels will serve as the Preferred Hotel Partner for the forum.

Steamships Managing Director, Rupert Bray says, “Our commitment to the WIBF, and more broadly to the indigenous communities globally, goes beyond mere sponsorship. It is a testament to our belief in celebrating the Papua New Guinean cultures and traditions.

Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru, acknowledged Teachers Savings and Loan Society (TISA) for their bold move in becoming WIBF’s 2023 platinum sponsor.

Founder and President of the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. (ILDII), Rosa Walker, said it’s a bidding process. She said hosting the WIBF by a particular country could have an economic impact of two to five million dollars for the local economy.

“So right now we are working with countries to come here some of them include; Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States, Columbia, Chile and Guatemala. We have those particular countries who will be represented here in PNG,” Walker said.

Vice Minister of International Trade and Investment Kessy Sawang, who is also Chair of the local Organizing Steering Committee for the WIBF PNG 2023, welcomed the chief executive officer, Rosa Walker and Mackenzie Oatway, who will be in the country for four days.

WIBF has the mission of ‘connecting indigenous business owners from around the world to create a global network of indigenous entrepreneurs’.

This event will be an opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs from all around the world to come together, network, and share their experiences and knowledge.

The two-day event is estimated to be hosted at a cost of over K6 million. The National Government has already committed K2 million towards this event.

The Steering Committee for the 2023 WIBF Papua New Guinea is tasked to organize the country’s biggest national event since the APEC meeting in 2018.

Papua New Guinea for the first time is the third of three countries to host this global event in the Asia-Pacific, apart from Australia and New Zealand.

Established in 2009, the World Indigenous Business Forum or WIBF aims to connect, share, inspire, mobilize and support organizations and entrepreneurs in the sustainable development of indigenous businesses and their communities from across the globe.

Minister Maru thanked the National Government and the National Executive Council (NEC) for the allocation of K2 million as GoPNG’s contribution towards the event.