Dr Ila Temu entered the private sector in 1996 when he was appointed managing director of Mineral Resources Company, and as general manager of government relations at Placer Niugini in 2000.
Dr Temu was president of the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, director of corporate affairs Australia Pacific at Barrick PNG, non-executive director of Bank South Pacific, chairman of PNG Ports Corporation, director of Bank of South Pacific Capital Port Moresby, and council member of Divine Word University.