SISTER CITIES TO BUILD ON LINKS

A DELEGATION of Townsville busiiness representatives to Port Moresby y has already discussed opportunities in n the health, education, mining services and tourism sectors just 48 hours into their trip.

The delegation arrived in Port Moresby on Monday to explore possible business ties between the two cities, confident that inroads will be made into the growing number of opportunities in the nearby Pacific nation.

Townsville Enterprise chief executive officer Patricia O’Callaghan said they had attended luncheons, forums and financial briefings with plenty more on the schedule for the rest of the week.

“Those delegates who already do business here are really assisting us,” she said.

“There are also new companies in the delegation as well that are interested in learning about doing business in Papua New Guinea.

“There are differences in the way we do business and it’s important not to go in wearing any rose- coloured glasses.”

At a luncheon hosted by Port Moresby’s National Capital District Commission yesterday at Lamana Hotel in the inner- city suburb of Waigani, Mayor Jenny Hill said she was optimistic the trip would bring mutually beneficial prospects for both PNG and Townsville businesses.

The trip was organised by Townsville Enterprise and co- sponsored by PNG’s flagship airline Air Niugini, which started direct flights between Townsville and Port Moresby on March 31.

The delegation is in Port Moresby for five days and has been accorded a series of distinguished meetings with key business stakeholders currently operating in PNG.

Delegate and Pacific Islands International’s managing director Ashley Finn said the sister city relationship between Port Moresby and Townsville established in 1983 was now stronger than ever. Mr Finn, whose company has been distributing a variety of hardware accessories and building products to PNG since 1998, said he was happy to be back in Port Moresby to help other Townsville executives to see the diverse opportunities that Port Moresby and PNG have to offer.

“A big focus for this trip is finding ways that members of the Townsville business community can trade and interact with Port Moresby- based entities or persons to help each other,” he said.