Papua New Guinea (PNG) is fully ready to host the 14th World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) come Tuesday 24th October in Port Moresby with delegates from the rest of the world arriving today along with the local indigenous business owners and operators.
Minister for International Trade and Investments, Richard Maru said the event will officially kick off tomorrow at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium with celebrations to be hosted by National Capital District Commission (NCDC) Amazing Port Moresby team.
“I want to confirm that we will have over 300 official PNG delegates attending the forum and 150 delegates from around the world and I understand from 14 different countries,” said Minister Maru.
“It is a real honour from our country to host the World Indigenous Business Forum for the first time in our country and I want to on behalf of our government and the country, thank the Management and Board of the World Indigenous Business Forum based in Canada, for granting us the right to host the Forum.”
Maru said the PNG team has been working tirelessly for the last 10 months to prepare to host this very important event.
Ms. Mackenzie Oatway, who is the Manager at Indigenous Leadership Development Institute (ILDI) in Canada, said the team is excited to be in the country to host the event because of its significance to helping indigenous businesses.
“The purpose of WIBF is bringing business to indigenous people, indigenous people to indigenous people. The connection with one another, the sharing of business ideas, best business practices and creating partnership across the world,” said Mackenzie.
Meanwhile, the WIBF official opening program will commence at 5pm in the evening at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Konedobu, where the delegates and dignitaries will attend.