Business Advantage reported that PNG stands to gain significant opportunities on the back of hosting APEC next year. The exposure to thousands of high-level visitors from Asia, North America and the Pacific will really put PNG on the map.
Mr David Toua, head of the PNG Business Council, was quoted as saying that "There are two great opportunities to be realised from hosting APEC, the first is to invite people to our country, and showcase its enormous potential as an investment destination. The second is to bring our people closer to the global market beyond our borders."
Port Moresby has already hosted several APEC meetings in the lead-up to 2018. In April 2016, the e-commerce SME summit showcased young Papua New Guinean entrepreneurs who are looking to make a name for themselves in innovative new industries.
The cost of hosting APEC is significant; however it is expected that the benefits that flow to PNG will be worth it. Increased inlkages between industries in PNG nad the region will help drive economic development, and the infrastrucutre investments that the government has made in prepreation for 2018 will pay dividends for years to come.