Norton Rose Fulbright has opened an office in Papua New Guinea, citing a rise in energy, mining and infrastructure work as the key driver for the move.

The firm has hired former Kumul Minerals general counsel Karo Lelai to open the office. She joins in the role of principal and while she will initially be the only lawyer on the ground, she will be supported by Sydney corporate partners Anthony Latimer and Steve Johns, among others.

Lelai led the legal function at state-owned Papua New Guinea company Kumul Minerals, formerly known as Petromin, between July 2014 and July 2016.

Norton Rose chief executive Peter Martyr said: "The Asia-Pacific region's energy, infrastructure, mining and commodities industries have a vibrant future and we see significant opportunities for many of our local and international clients."

Papua New Guinea, which is located north of Australia, occupies the eastern part of the world's second largest island, while the Indonesian province of Papua occupies the western part.

Norton Rose managing partner in Australia, Wayne Spanner, added: "We have been encouraged for some time by our clients to set up a permanent base in Papua New Guinea… we now have considerable depth of experience in advising on Papua New Guinea oil and gas projects, which along with other resources and infrastructure-led investment, present a tremendous opportunity for the Papua New Guinea people, its economy and the local and international clients that work there."

The launch comes after the firm switched alliances in Indonesia in January. It ended its alliance with Indonesian firm Susandarini & Partners and entered into a new association with local outfit TNB & Partners. Earlier this month, the firm also announced it would open an office in Monaco early next year. The base, which will focus on work for shipping and finance clients, will be led by the firm's Greece head Dimitri Sofianopoulos, who will split his time between Greece and Monaco.