Sailing South
Shipping has been a vital mode of transport for both people and goods in and out of the South Pacific region for centuries. Its nations are scattered throughout enormous swathes of ocean, and ports serve as equally if not more important transportation hubs than airports.
With this in mind, this month's cover story features an exclusive interview with Eranda Kotelawala, CEO of Solomon Islands Ports Authority. Established in 1956, it is mandated to maintain and improve key port infrastructure, its vision being to develop and promote Solomon Islands to become the premier hub for port and maritime activities in the South Pacific. Southwest of the Solomon Islands, in Australia, global tech giant Fujitsu is working on a landmark project that will see it replace Australia's fastest supercomputer. “Australian research has played a part in a number of world firsts, including the bionic ear, lithium medical treatment, ultrasounds, the black box flight recorder and penicillin-based antibiotics,” details Mike Foster, CEO of the company's Australia and New Zealand business. “With the award of the contract to supply the replacement for Australia's fastest supercomputer, Fujitsu is playing a part in keeping Australia at the forefront of the world's research community as it helps to solve complex and pressing global challenges. We are proud to be able to help assist Australian researchers and provide them with the tools to unlock the challenges of society, the mysteries of the universe, and advancements in medical research.” The new supercomputer, named Gadi, will deliver some frightening computing power – find out more in our exclusive Q&A. We also cannot publish this issue without looking at the Rugby World Cup, underway in Japan at the time of writing. A huge event for the country, we present some facts and figures which reveal just how big an impact this sporting celebration is expected to make. Other business success stories this issue cover a range of industries, from fitness and retail to energy and mining, along with some stunning construction project showcases. Finally, be sure to check out our travel guides this issue, starting off on the beautiful Indonesian island of Bali, a destination that is certainly in fashion and growing in prominence, as demonstrated by 2018's arrival figures which show a 10 percent increase in 2017. We also explore the best of Sri Lanka as well as the Northern Mariana Islands, a remote pacific destination full of natural splendour and World War II relics. You will also notice that our cover story and other articles are presented with an updated design, a refined and refreshed look that further helps to bring our business success stories to life.
Enjoy the issue!