Shared values key to strengthen, build PNG

With the theme “Shared Values Strengthen and Builds Papua New Guinea”, the conference hosted speakers, who spoke on topics including establishing relationships and sharing practices that add value to strengthening and developing the nation, its people and the resources.

Council President Nuni Kulu said hosting the forum for the second time in collaboration with the National Parliament portrayed an ongoing commitment from the Government and private sectors, which encompassed the “shared values” agenda.

“It is through shared values that brings leaders of business and government to adapt a benchmark to define our sovereignty and our ways that underpins national content,” she said.

ExxonMobil PNG Vice President (production) Scott Sandin said: “ExxonMobil’s vision is to create a culture and an environment that fosters interactions where you can instantly know that somebody works for ExxonMobil simply by their behaviour alone.

“Our core key pillars and values are safety, security, environment, integrity, teamwork and excellence. “We wanted to align these values with our commitment to the national content and grow our local workforce as well as to build a business.”

“ExxonMobil’s values bring out the best in us and we know that no matter where we go, we will have an extended family that will always have our backs.”

International Business Council of PNG Vice President Susil-Nelson Kongoi said: “PNG has a rich history of entrepreneurship tied-in with our cultural heritage.

“Trading among our people is not new and it continues today in family businesses to landowning entities. “The concept of business values is not imported, nor is it new. “It has always been a part of PNG culture.”

She said the key question is balance in the form of government policy desiring to achieve public good and allow businesses to grow at the same time.

“This is a difficult objective but nevertheless, it must be pursued as both are critical elements.”