Vice-President (First Nations) Professor Peter Yu of The Australian National University's First Nations Portfolio delivered the keynote address at the inaugural  Indigenous Business Forum on 26 May 2026. 
Professor Yu spoke about emerging local, regional, national and international economic opportunities for Indigenous Kimberley businesses. 
"This region is rich with economic potential. It covers more than 423,000 square kilometres, or 16 per cent of Western Australia. More than 97 per cent of that is determined Native Title land. More than 40 per cent of the Kimberley population is Indigenous."
Global markets are hungry for the Kimberley's critical minerals, renewable energy and agricultural resources, he added. 
"How do we activate our land and sea assets? How do we attract capital? How do we nurture and grow Indigenous-owned businesses to thrive in local and regional economies as well as reach global markets?"
Professor Yu said Rubibi (Broome) could become Australia's northern gateway and entry point for doing business with Asia and China as an alternative to Darwin.
"Indonesia is only about three hours away by air or about 15 days by sea freight," he said. 
Professor Yu said the Kimberley could function as a food bowl for Southeast Asian markets with the right investment in cold storage and other infrastructure. 
He said other potential Indigenous business growth sectors included:
- renewable energy
- luxury tourism resorts
- education services
- live beef export
- aquaculture
- data and digital technology aligned with the proposed Karajarri Data Centre.
Professor Yu said challenges for Indigenous businesses included:
- investment in governance of Prescribed Bodies Corporate
- intra-community and interpersonal disputes
- credit-readiness
- cost of capital
- finance to scale up
- human resources.