New Guinea Commerce

PNG Commerce is shorthand for New Guinea Commerce – a website committed to economic growth, good governance and next generation leadership in the Indo-Pacific.  PNG Commerce was started by Australians Sean Jacobs and Jordan Shopov in early 2013.

We originally intended to focus on Papua New Guinea – the fast growing nation of almost seven million in the Pacific – but decided to expand our focus to the broader region.

Driving our shared philosophy are the following principles:

• Free markets and good governance harness the ingenuity of individuals to achieve progress and better living standards for all
• A classic liberal approach to public policy matters will enhance future prosperity
• A sound appreciation of the importance and benefits of a democratic and free market society are essential for future leaders to succeed

We both maintain the site in our spare time. 

Sean Jacobs

Sean Jacobs most recently served as the Lord Mayor’s Representative for the Gabba Ward in the 2016 Brisbane City Council elections. Previously he worked as a Liaison Specialist for Wilson Security in Papua New Guinea and, prior to that, as a policy adviser to the Queensland Minister for Education, Training and Employment.

Sean has worked across a number of policy and operational areas at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) including disaster recovery, housing, national security, and public service and not-for-profit sector reform. While at PM&C he also served on the G20 Taskforce leading aspects of security planning for Brisbane’s G20.

He has worked for the United Nations in Papua New Guinea, and was an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development to Fiji, where he worked in Fiji’s sport and development sector. 

Sean holds a BA (International Relations) from Griffith University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism from Macquarie University.  He also holds qualifications from the Australian National Security College, the Australian Institute of Management and the University of New England. 

Contact: seangljacobs@gmail.com

Jordan Shopov 

Jordan Shopov is a qualified lawyer with 5 years professional experience as a public policy analyst and consultant. Jordan previously worked for ITS Global, a consultancy specialising in environmental, trade and investment policy issues across the Asia-Pacific region. He has also worked as an analyst for the Australian Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and a researcher for the Institute of Public Affairs.

Jordan holds both a Bachelor and Master of Laws (International and Comparative Law) from Monash University; as well as Graduate Diplomas in Legal Practice and Business. More broadly, Jordan maintains a deep interest in business, economics and value investing. Last year he completed Level 1 of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program and recently attended Berkshire Hathaway’s 50th Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Contact: jordanjshopov@gmail.com