As Papua New Guinea enters a new phase of economic momentum, attention is turning to where business, policy and investment intersect, and, in May 2026, this conversation will take centre stage in Brisbane.
The 41st Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum & Trade Expo will convene in Brisbane from 13–15 May 2026, bringing together business leaders, investors and policymakers for three days of high-level engagement focused on the Pacific’s largest economy.
Set against the electric atmosphere of the NRL Magic Round, this year’s Forum promises a unique blend of business opportunity and citywide excitement. Under the theme Game On for Growth, it signals a moment of renewed momentum in PNG’s economy and a clear invitation for businesses to engage.
PNG is entering a new phase of economic activity, driven by major resource developments, infrastructure investment and expanding sectors such as agriculture, telecommunications and services. For companies looking to enter or grow in this market, the Forum offers unmatched access to the people and insights that matter.
Where opportunity meets access
The Forum brings together senior government representatives, industry leaders and investors from both PNG and Australia. It provides a platform to hear directly from decision-makers about policy priorities, regulatory developments and upcoming investment opportunities.
The programme reflects the breadth of PNG’s economic landscape. Delegates will hear keynote addresses from PNG and Australian leaders, alongside sessions on economic infrastructure, agriculture and major projects in energy and resources.
Critical forward-looking themes will also be explored, including artificial intelligence, labour market transformation, sustainability and carbon markets, telecommunications, and SME development. Sessions on Bougainville and PNG’s infrastructure pipeline will further deepen understanding of emerging opportunities.
The Trade Expo: where business happens
Running alongside the Forum, the Trade Expo will be a focal point for visibility and engagement. Open from 13 to 15 May, it provides companies with the opportunity to showcase their goods and services to a highly targeted audience of decision-makers and industry leaders.
With limited booth availability and strong demand expected, the Expo is where conversations translate into commercial outcomes. Book early to secure your spot.
Networking that delivers results
From the opening cocktail function to the conference dinner and dedicated networking receptions, the Forum is designed to foster meaningful connections. These interactions often lead to long-term partnerships, making the Forum a catalyst for business across borders.
A partnership built over decades
Australia and PNG share a long-standing relationship grounded in history, trade and close people-to-people ties. Since PNG’s independence in 1975, the two countries have developed strong economic links across resources, infrastructure, finance and services.
For more than 40 years, the Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council (APNGBC) has worked closely with government and industry stakeholders to strengthen commercial ties and promote bilateral engagement. The Forum is delivered in collaboration with counterparts in PNG, including the Business Council of Papua New Guinea, reflecting the depth of private sector partnerships between the two countries.
Backed by leaders in business
The 41st Forum is supported by a strong line-up of partners and sponsors actively engaged in Papua New Guinea’s growth story. These include Kramer Asia Pacific, Investment Promotion Authority PNG, ExxonMobil, Kina Bank, Pronto Software, Pacific Marine Group, Westpac, SMEC, Austrade, Trade & Investment Queensland (TIQ), Santos, CC Pacific, ANZ Bank, Dentons, Steamships, Qantas and many more.
Be there
With Brisbane alive to the energy of the Magic Round and the Pacific’s premier business forum in full swing, May 2026 presents a rare convergence of opportunity and engagement.
If Papua New Guinea is on your business horizon, this is where you need to be.
Secure your place, and be part of the conversations shaping the future of the Pacific’s largest market.
Register before 31 March to go into the draw to win two NRL Magic Round tickets*.
T&Cs apply.
Click here to register or scan the QR code.
