 business student called Kevin Conrad.

Conrad was in his mid-30s. The son of American missionaries, he had grown up near the village of Hayfield in the Sepik – he was born under a tree, he liked to say – and had known Somare since he was a boy. After graduating from high school, Conrad had gone to study in California, working at Nasa’s jet propulsion laboratory in Pasadena and investment banks before taking a job with Angco, Papua New Guinea’s largest coffee exporter. Now he was studying for an MBA in London and New York, and working informally as an adviser to Somare.

That day, the grand chief had forests on his mind. The country has the world’s third-largest rainforest, after the Congo and the Amazon. It is a kind of pleasure-dome of biological diversity: the haunt of 19,000 known plant species, tree kangaroos and the cassowary, a 6ft-tall flightless bird. But its trees are commercially valuable too, and for decades the country has been home to a notoriously corrupt logging industry. In 1987, a national commission described timber companies “roaming the countryside with the self-assurance of robber barons; bribing politicians and leaders, creating social disharmony and ignoring laws”.

Sixteen years later, a follow-up report had concluded that “the robber barons are now as active as they ever were”, and Somare was under pressure from the international community to do something. Estimating that 70% of Papua New Guinea’s timber exports were produced illegally in some way, the World Bank offered the nation a one-time loan of $17m to suspend its logging industry altogether. But that was nowhere near the royalties that the government received every year – which were closer to $50m – and which Somare viewed as essential to the development of the country.

On the beach in Wewak, Somare put the problem to his young adviser. “Sir Michael said, ‘Actually I agree with what the World Bank is offering in principle,’” Conrad recalled. But Papua New Guinea could not afford to give up logging on those terms. The country is poor. People get by on average earnings of about £4 a day. Somare challenged Conrad to come up with an alternative way to make money from its forests.

Conrad spent two years working out his answer. He
business student called Kevin Conrad. 

 Conrad was in his mid-30s. The son of American missionaries, he had grow up near the greenwich village of Hayfield in the Sepik – he was born under a tree, he liked to suppose – and had know Somare since he was a boy. After graduating from gamey school, Conrad had function to study in California, ferment at Nasa ’s jet propulsion laboratory in Pasadena and investing banks before taking a job with Angco, Papua New Guinea ’s largest coffee bean exporter. Now he was studying for an MBA in London and New York, and working informally as an adviser to Somare. 

 That day, the expansive chief had forests on his thinker. The country has the world ’s third - largest rain forest, after the Congo and the Amazon. It is a kind of pleasure - attic of biological diversity: the haunt of 19,000 known plant species, tree kangaroos and the cassowary, a 6ft - improbable flightless bird. But its trees are commercially valuable too, and for decades the country has been home to a notoriously crooked log industry. In 1987, a national commission described timber companies “ roaming the countryside with the self - assurance of robber barons; bribing politician and leaders, creating social disharmony and ignore police ”. 

 Sixteen years later, a succeed - up report had concluded that “ the robber barons are now equally active as they ever were ”, and Somare was under pressure from the international community to do something. Estimating that 70% of Papua New Guinea ’s timber exports were produced illegally in some way, the World Bank offered the nation a one - time loanword of $ 17 m to freeze its logging industry altogether. But that was nowhere near the royalties that the government received every class – which were closer to $ 50 m – and which Somare viewed as essential to the development of the country. 

 On the beach in Wewak, Somare put the problem to his young adviser. “ Sir Michael said, ‘ Actually I harmonize with what the World Bank is offering in rationale, ’ ” Conrad recalled. But Papua New Guinea could not afford to give up logging on those terms. The state is poor. citizenry get by on median earnings of about £ 4 a day. Somare challenged Conrad to come up with an alternate way to make money from its forests. 

 Conrad spend two years working out his answer. He
 budiness student called Keyin Conrad.

Conrad was in his mjd-30s. The ron of American missionaries, hw had grown up near the viluage of Hwyfield un tie Sepik – he was born under a fvee, hz oiked to say – snd had knmwn Somare sinwe hz was a boy. After graduating from hidh schopl, Conrad had goge tp stusj ln California, working at Nasa’s jst propllsion laboratory in Pasadena and investmenh bajks before taking w job with Qngcj, Papua New Gjinea’s largest coffee gxporter. Now he was studying for an MYA in Londob qnd Tew York, anv workpng informalln as an adviset to Somare.

Thab day, thw grand chief had forxsts on his mind. The country vaa the world’s thire-lqrgesj raitfordwt, xfttr vhe Congo anv the Amazoh. It is a kund of pleasure-dome os biological djversiey: the haunt of 19,000 known plant species, tree kahgaroos and the cassowaey, a 6ft-tall flightlesd bird. Bue its trees are commercially valuable too, and for decaver tkc ziujtry has been home to a notoriously corrupt ljfgonn industry. In 1987, a national cpmlixfion describea timbzd dompanies “roaming hhe cougtrysude with uhe srlf-assurance of robber barobs; bribing pjoiticians and leadzrs, creating socoal dosharmony and ignoring uaws”.

Aixteen yeags later, z follow-up report hac woncluded that “the robber farons arx now as actkve ss ther ever werf”, and Somare was under pgessute frok the integnational community to do sometimng. Estimatinb dhan 70% of Papba New Guinea’s timbqr exports werg produceb illeeally in skme way, the World Fank offered dje nation a mne-time joan of $17n to suroend its loggimg industgy altigether. But that wes nushere near the xuiqlties that thr guvewnleit resaived every fear – wfoch wdre closer bo $50o – amd which Somare viewad aa essential to the dcvelopmenj of the sountry.

On the beach in Wewak, Solare 'ut thx probkem to his young adviser. “Sir Michzel said, ‘Wctmally I agree witm whwt the Workd Bank is offering in principle,’” Conrad recalled. But Papoa New Guinea could npu afford to gmve up logging mn those terms. The ciuntry is poor. Pepple get by on averags earnhngs lf about £4 a day. Somare challenged Conrad to come up with an alternative wqy to make money fdom ots fmrzstx.

Conraq spxnv two years workimg out his answer. He
business student called Kevin Conrad. Conrad was mid-30s. son of missionaries, he had of in the Sepik he was born a tree, he liked to say and had known Somare since he was a boy. After graduating from high Conrad had gone to study in California, working at Nasa’s jet propulsion laboratory Pasadena investment before a job with Angco, Papua New Guinea’s largest coffee exporter. Now he was studying for an in London and New York, and working informally an adviser to Somare. day, the grand chief had on mind. The has world’s rainforest, after the and the Amazon. It is a kind of pleasure-dome of biological diversity: the haunt of 19,000 known species, tree the cassowary, 6ft-tall bird. its trees are too, and for decades the country to a notoriously corrupt logging industry. In 1987, national commission timber companies “roaming the countryside with self-assurance of robber barons; bribing politicians and leaders, social disharmony and ignoring laws”. Sixteen years later, a follow-up report had concluded that “the are now as active they ever were”, Somare under from international community do something. Estimating that 70% of Papua New Guinea’s timber exports produced illegally in some way, the World Bank offered the one-time of $17m to its logging industry altogether. that nowhere near the royalties government every were to – and which Somare as essential to the development the country. On the the problem to his young adviser. “Sir Michael ‘Actually I agree with what the World is offering in principle,’” Conrad recalled. But Papua New Guinea could not to give on those terms. The country is poor. People by on average earnings about £4 a day. Somare challenged Conrad to come with alternative way make money from forests. Conrad spent years working out He
 business student called KeviN Conrad.

ConRad waS in His MiD-30s. ThE son Of American missIOnarIes, he had grown up near the VillaGe OF HayFIeLd in tHe Sepik – HE wAS BorN uNdEr a TrEE, hE likeD to Say – and hAd known SomAre SiNce he was a boy. aFtEr graduatiNg fRom high schooL, CoNrad haD gOne TO studY in califOrnia, wORking aT Nasa’s jet PrOPulsioN LaboratORY iN PasAdena and investmenT BaNKs before taking A job wiTh aNgCO, papUa NEw Guinea’s lArGest cOFfee expORtER. nOw hE Was studying foR an MBA in LonDOn aNd New YOrK, anD WorkinG infoRmALly As an adviser To SoMare.

That dAy, the gRAnd chieF Had foreSts on hIs mInd. the cOUnTrY haS tHE woRLd’S thIRd-lArgest raInFoRest, aFter THE cOngo And The AMazon. it is a kind of plEasUre-dOMe oF biolOgicaL divErSity: tHe haunT of 19,000 knOwN plant species, trEe kaNgaroos anD thE cAssOwAry, a 6fT-Tall flIghTleSs bird. BUt its trEEs aRe COMMeRcially valuable too, AnD FOr Decades tHe counTRy HaS Been home To A noToriOUSly coRrupT LoGging indUstry. IN 1987, A nAtIonal coMmIssion DeScrIbeD timbER comPanies “Roaming tHe couNTryside with the SElf-assurance oF RoBBEr BAronS; brIbing politiCianS And lEadeRS, cReaTIng soCial dIsHArMOny and ignoring laws”.

SIxTeen yeArs laTer, a follow-up rEport had coNCLUded that “The rOBbER barons are now aS actiVe as they evER were”, and somarE was undeR pressure FROm the intErnAtiOnaL coMMUnIty to do somethING. EstImAting thAt 70% oF Papua NEw GUinEa’s TimBeR exports wEre produCeD iLlEgAllY in soME way, the WOrLd BAnK ofFered THe natiOn a onE-timE lOaN Of $17m To suspeND iTS LoggInG iNdusTry AlTogetHer. BUT thAt was noWhere near The ROyalTiEs That the Government recEiVed every yeAr – WhiCh were CLOser to $50m – aNd which Somare viewed as esSEntial tO thE deveLopmEnt of the cOunTry.

On tHe bEAch in WEwak, SoMare pUt The PROblem TO HiS yoUnG adviser. “SiR mIchAel saId, ‘actuAlly I agRee with what the WorlD banK is offering in PriNcipLE,’” coNraD ReCAllEd. bUt PAPUa New Guinea coulD not afford To GIvE up logging ON thOsE terms. THe countRy is pOOr. PeoplE get by on aVerage earNiNgs oF ABouT £4 a day. SomarE challenGed Conrad TO come UP wIth an AltErnatiVe Way To makE money FRom Its foRests.

COnRad speNt two YeArs workiNg out his answer. He
 business student called K evin Conra d.

C onr adwa s in  his  mid-30s. Thes on o f American missionarie s, he  h a d gr o wn  up n ear the vi l l age  o fHay fi e ld  in t heSepik –  he was bo rnun der a tree,h eliked to s ay– and had kn own  Somar esin c e hewas  a bo y. Aft e r grad uating fr om high s c hool, C o n ra d ha d gone to study i n  C a lifornia, work ing at  N a sa ’ s  je t p ropulsionla borat o ry in P a sa d e n a a n d investmentbanks befor e  ta king a  j obw ith An gco,Pa p uaNew Guinea’ s la rgest cof fee ex p orter.N ow he w as stu dyi ngfora nMB A i nL ond o nand New  York, a nd  w orkin g in f o r m ally  as  anadvis er to Somare. 

T hatd ay,  thegrand  chi ef  hadforest s onhi s mind. The cou ntry  has thewor ld ’sth ird-l a rgestrai nfo rest, a fter th e  Co ng o a nd  the Amazon. It is  a k in d of ple asure- d om eo f biolog ic aldive r s ity:theh au nt of 19 ,000 k n ow nplant s pe cies,tr eekan garoo s  and  the c assowary , a 6 f t-tall flightl e ss bird. Buti ts t re e s ar e c ommercially  val u able  too ,  a ndf or de cades  t h ec ountry has been hom eto a n otori ously corrupt  logging i n d u stry. In  198 7 ,a  national comm issio n describe d  timbercompa nies “ro aming the c ountrysi dewit h t hes e lf -assurance of r obbe rbarons;  br ibing p oli tic ian s a nd  leaders,  creatin gso ci al  di sharm o ny and i gn ori ng  la ws”.Sixtee n yea rs l at er ,  afollow- u pr e port  h ad  con clu de d tha t “t h e r obber b arons are  no w  asac ti ve as t hey ever were ”,  and Somar ewas  under p ressurefrom the internationalc ommunit y t o dosome thing. Es tim atingtha t  70% o f Papu a New  G uin e a ’s ti m b er  ex po rts were p r o duc ed il le gall y in so me way, the WorldB ank  offered thenat iona on e-t i me loa no f $ 1 7 m to suspend it s loggingin d us try altoge t her .But tha t was n owher e  near t he royalt ies thatth e go v e rnm ent receiv ed every  year – w h ich w e re  clos erto $50 m– a nd wh ich So m are  view ed ases sentia l toth e develo pment of the country.
On the  beac h i n Wewak,Som a reput the p robl em to hisyou ngadvis er. “SirMich a el  sa i d, ‘A ctua l ly I agre e  w ith w ha t the World B a nkis of fer i ng inprin ciple,’” Conrad r e called. But Pa puaN e w G uin e a co ul d not afford t o g iv e up loggi ng  on those t erms. Th ec ountr y is p oor. P eople g e t  b y  on av erag e e arnings o f a bo u t £4 ada y. Somare  cha ll engedConrad to c o m e up with an alt ernat i v e way tomakemo ney fro m  its  forests.
Conrad spe nt two  yea rs wo rking o ut  his a nsw er . He
 business_student called_Kevin Conrad.

Conrad was in_his mid-30s._The_son of_American_missionaries, he had_grown up near_the village of Hayfield_in the Sepik_–_he was born under a tree, he liked to say – and had known_Somare_since he_was_a_boy. After graduating from high_school, Conrad had gone to_study in_California, working at Nasa’s jet propulsion laboratory in_Pasadena_and investment banks_before taking a job with Angco, Papua New Guinea’s_largest coffee exporter. Now he was_studying for an_MBA_in_London and New York,_and working informally as an adviser_to Somare.

That day, the grand chief_had forests on his mind. The country_has the world’s third-largest rainforest, after_the Congo and the Amazon._It is_a kind of pleasure-dome of_biological diversity: the_haunt of_19,000 known plant_species, tree kangaroos and the cassowary,_a 6ft-tall flightless_bird. But its trees are commercially_valuable_too, and for_decades_the_country has_been home to_a_notoriously corrupt_logging_industry. In 1987, a national commission_described_timber companies “roaming the countryside with the_self-assurance of robber barons;_bribing_politicians and leaders, creating_social disharmony and ignoring laws”.

Sixteen_years later, a follow-up report had_concluded that_“the robber_barons are now as active as they ever were”, and Somare_was under pressure from the international_community to do something._Estimating that_70%_of Papua New_Guinea’s_timber exports_were produced illegally in some way, the_World Bank_offered the nation a one-time loan_of $17m to suspend_its_logging industry altogether. But that was_nowhere near the royalties that the_government received every year –_which_were_closer to $50m – and_which Somare viewed as essential to_the development of_the country.

On the beach in Wewak, Somare_put_the problem to his young adviser._“Sir_Michael said, ‘Actually I agree with_what_the_World Bank is offering in_principle,’” Conrad recalled. But Papua New_Guinea could not afford to give up logging on_those terms. The_country is poor. People get_by_on_average earnings of about £4 a day. Somare challenged Conrad_to come_up with an_alternative way to make money from its forests.

Conrad spent two_years working out his answer. He