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BY GORETHY KENNETH
Papua New Guinea has lost one of its visionary business leaders in Sir Kostas Constantinou over the long weekend.
A son of Papua New Guinea, a father to Constantia, George, Andrea and Theophilus and grandfather to Imogen, Sylvia, Harry, Zoe and George, Sir Kostas died of a heart complication in Brisbane’s Wesley Hospital on Saturday evening.
Sir Kostas was the Honorary Consul for Greece. He passed Saturday, June 17, at the age of 65.
The family announced the passing yesterday singling out that Sir Kostas, one of PNGs prominent business leaders, who sat in various business boards had recently battled complications with his heart and passed away in Brisbane.
A true Constantinou, he built an empire across the Pacific, Constantinou Group, continuing the legacy of his late father Sir George Constantinou with Airways, Lamana Hotel, Lamana development, Monier, Hebou, Loloata Resort, Gazelle International(PNG), Heritage Park Hotel (Solomon Islands), Taumeasina Island Resort (Samoa).
His business savvy & charisma had him appointed chair for various organizations including Air Niugini and BSP.
Sir Kostas was a resilient & proud Papua New Guinean at heart, creating employment opportunities, inspiring & encouraging so many Papua New Guineans in the pursuit of opportunity & progress for the future.
Condolences had come in from all walks of life, including his businesses, the companies of which he had chaired and was board member and from the Government circles.
First to send out condolences was the Papua New Guinea Chamber of Commerce & Industry stating it was deeply saddened at the passing of prominent PNG identity and business leader, Sir Kostas Constantinou.
“It is with overwhelming sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sir Kostas Constantinou,” the family announced.
“As a business leader, Sir Kostas was a visionary who employed thousands of our people and expanded Papua New Guinea businesses around Asia and the Pacific.
“From the successes of the businesses that he managed and the boards on which he sat, he always made sure that money was invested back into communities around the country particularly in healthcare and education.
“Beyond all of his achievements in business, in community development and diplomacy, Sir Kostas Constantinou was the leader of our family who shared his love and his wisdom so warmly.
“We are all left with a terrible loss in our lives with his passing.
“The people, the workers and the business community of Papua New Guinea have lost a champion for development, and his family and friends mourn the loss of a humble and beloved
person.”
“Through his various business interests in Papua New Guinea, Sir Kostas employed thousands of our citizens, training and developing skill sets, paying taxes, superannuation, building infrastructure and promoting Papua New Guinea as an attractive destination for business and investment.
“Sir Kostas was an avid advocate for promoting Papua New Guineans to greater positions of responsibility, a supporter of women empowerment and gender equality.
“He supported good governance to achieve better outcomes and this was amply demonstrated in the many listed, public and private sector organisations he served as chairman or director.”
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