In this world scientists have been trying to unravel the mysterious of 5 main inexplicable phenomena: the placebo effect, people with extra sensory powers (foretelling the future), near death experiences, UFO's and deja vu.

In my world (that is Papua New Guinea) a number of enlightened Papua Niugineans have been trying to unravel the mystery of the inexplicable phenomenon of having a conference to promote a Papua New Guinean industry in another country!

The PNG - that is Papua New Guinea...let me repeat PAPUA NEW GUINEA Mining and Petroleum Investment Conference will be held next week at the ever exclusive (and ridiculously expensive) Sydney Hilton! Yes that is Sydney as in Australia! Where it costs wait for it..... AU$279 up to AU$2,841 per night! Convert that to PGK you're looking at K622 to K6,355 per night!!!! More ridiculous when you consider the airfares, the visa fees, the transport plus the per diem that those that are employed by the public sector (there goes my tax!) will be needing aside from that accommodation!

Makes everyday Papua Niugineans like me question the logic and sanity of the organizers. Yes it's understood that the purpose of this conference is to wait for it

"showcase the mining and petroleum industry to secure investments."

according to a report by Emmanuel Maipe in today's National Newspaper. Right. Least we have that sorted out.

But why is it that the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum feels that it needs to go to look for and solicit the investors? There is enough evidence (really all you have to do is trawl the internet or overseas television networks) to suggest that the outside world today has a strong desire and need for mineral and petroleum raw materials. As long as computers, mobile phones, airplanes and electronic gadgets are in demand the monster mining and petroleum industry will be hungry for more resources.

Resources that are evidently in abundance here in Papua New Guinea. Almost every province in PNG has something that foreign investors will want to invest in. What image do we portray when we go host such a conference overseas? Won't potential investors be wondering why not in PNG? This may even lead to the false assumption that personal security can't be guaranteed in PNG! So once again why is it that the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum is hosting this conference in Australia? 

©Klaireh