Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, 15 July 2014: GE has today announced the appointment of Peter Loko as GE Country Head for Papua New Guinea (PNG). The announcement comes as GE officially opens its first office in the country.
John Rice, GE Vice Chairman, officially opened the PNG office in Port Moresby on 14 July before travelling to Sydney to participate in the B20 Summit.
Mr Loko will work with each of GE's industrial businesses, including Power & Water, Oil & Gas and Healthcare to develop individual strategies for PNG while representing and leveraging GE as a whole for the country.
Geoff Culbert, President and Chief Executive Officer of GE A&NZ, says that GE's operation in PNG builds on the company's involvement with the PNG LNG Project.
"PNG is undergoing incredible change, driven by huge mineral and gas projects which are rapidly transforming the country. GE has the technology, the global experience and the local capability to help PNG reach its growth goals," says Mr Culbert.
PNG's 22 provinces have a combined GDP of $17 billion, growing at 8 per cent per annum. GE already plays a significant role in the extraction of LNG, which is expected to substantially increase the nation's GDP. With this announcement, GE is looking to contribute even more to the development of the PNG economy, bringing global energy, water treatment and healthcare capabilities to the country.
Mr Loko says he has a passion for developing the critical infrastructure needed to achieve PNG's short and medium term objectives.
"I am excited to take on this now role and in turn help PNG achieve its objectives in the key areas of power, water, healthcare and oil & gas," says Mr Loko.
GE has been doing business in Papua New Guinea since 1952 with each of its industrial businesses active in the country.
Mr Loko will be based in Port Moresby where he lives with his wife and children. He also has a son in Australia.