A workshop meticulous designed to empower committee members of small business groups and cooperatives was concluded in Aitape, West Sepik Province.
The week-long information session facilitated through the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, attracted 45 participants.
Topics talked about in the workshop include critical business management elements for small businesses, business plan preparation, analysis of group’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis), cash flow projection, preparing profit and loss statements, and record keeping.
Participant Donald Mulo and chairperson of Koumete Business Group said he picked up vital skills from the workshop. “The knowledge we gained is very useful, and the workshop assisted us in financial management and bookkeeping, which will help me greatly in managing my group’s business,” said Mulo. Through the EU-STREIT Programme, similar trainings are conducted in rural communities in tho hope to foster the growth of MSME’s in the Sepik region with representatives from the Cocoa Board, the Division of Agriculture and Livestock, the Division of Commerce and Industry, and the Fisheries Office. The involvement of government sector gives participants real-life cases and sector-specific insights into the learning experience, making it highly relevant to the participants and dynamic.
Facilitator, Ayurzana Puntsagdavaa, said FAO is contributing to sustainable development I. The Sepik Region through equipping agripreneurs with vital kills, knowledge, and practical tools.
“The workshop takes a very flexible and demand-based learning approach whereby the depth and speed of training is accordingly adjusted based on the needs of the participants. Participants are also highly encouraged to learn from each other, given such a workshop intentionally brings together a well-mixed group with varying experiences in cocoa, vanilla, and fishery businesses,” said Puntsagdavaa
The OK Tedi mine will continue operation until 2050 following an approval in principal from the OK Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) Board on the mine’s extension.
OTML Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Kedi IIimbit estimates the extension will generate K30 billion in dividends, royalties, compensation payments and taxes to the shareholders and communities over the next 27 years.
“The approval by the Board on the eve of Papua New Guinea’s 48th Independence is a welcoming gift to the communities in which we operate and who provide us the social license to do continue,” said Ilimbit.
Chairman of OMTL Board, Jeffrey Innes said the mine had tripled its value in the last six years.
“The Strategic Business Plan gives the Board confidence in OTML’s continued operational success,” said Innes.
The approval of the extension of 17 more years from 2033-2050 is based on a Strategic Business Plan submitted by the Executive Team and discussed during the OTML Board Meeting on 13th September.
The extension was factored by several things including;
a strengthen long term copper price outlook, -additional mine waste storage solutions like Engineered Rock waste dumps,
tailoring storage facility to minimize impacts of evironment damage, renewal of aged processing plant assets and
implementation of other strategic programs that are currently in varies stages of completion.
38 members of the Kandangapma Women’s Business Group in Angoram took part in a capacity building program conducted through the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)-STREIT program.
The group consists of agripreneurs and business minded women, involved in fish processing and marketing, sewing and bilum making.
The first workshop, held in Angoram, centered on topics crucial for the success of MSMEs, like, group dynamics, effective leadership skills, and communication and encourages participants to assume leadership roles.
Assistant Chairlady of Kandangapma Women’s Business Group, Verjulah Mowe said she is now more aware of the different roles and responsibilities of her group members.
“I can now make a clear connection between good leadership and sound communication skills and the success of any group business,” said Mowe.
At the end of the workshop, a FAO-Thiaroye Technique (FTT) site for fish processing (fish smoking) was handed over to the Women’s Business Group.
This capacity-building opportunity had equipped these women entrepreneurs with the skills needed to manage their working capital, including the FTT, more effectively and efficiently as a group.
Patu Shang, the Gender and Youth Inclusion Specialist who took lead in the learning session said such trainings give women insight into management skills.
“When women become economically empowered through MSMEs, they gain a sense of agency, and contribute meaningfully to household incomes, thereby improving food and nutrition security, ultimately leading to a better quality of life,” said Shang.
The National Airport Corporation (NAC) will carry out some repair works on Kagamuga Airport runway starting on the 27th of September.
This will see the downgrading of Fokker 100 services into Mt. Hagen to Q400 (or similar).
NAC says after identifying a deficiency on the 180 meter runway, it will be taking necessary actions to ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft is maintained according to aviation rules and regulations.
In a statement released by the Airport Corporation, it says while the repair work is expected to cause some inconvenience to the airline companies, it is important to maintain the airport and vital infrastructure.
Kagamuga is the busiest airport in the Highlands Region serving thousands of people from Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, Enga, Jiwaka and Chimbu provinces.
NAC aims to have the runway improved with two months by taking advantage of the favorable weather before the start of the festive season (peak period).
The work will be conducted by a specialist contract independent of the existing contractor for Mt. Hagen.
As operation work progresses, Fokker 70 aircrafts will land in Kagamuga and when work is complete Fokker 100 will resume into Western Highlands Service.
With the closure of Mendi airport and temporary shut down of airline services into Wapenamanda airport, more people are traveling into Mt. Hagen before going to other Highlands provinces.
Ten women selected from four regions in Bougainville will travel to Australia as first participants under the Bougainville Government’s Labor Mobility Program.
Samantha Makasu is one of participants and said to do her best during the nine months course of the program.
“We want to assure you all and our families that we will do our best, learn as much as we can and return to assist our families, communities and Bougainville as a whole,” said Samantha.
ABG Department of Commerce, Trade and Economic Secretary, Alex Kerangpuna urged the ten participants to be ambassadors of Bougainville and make good use of the opportunity.
“Congratulations on being the pioneers of this program. Participation in this program is a milestone for your, families, community, people of Bougainville and also for the government,” Kerangpuna said.
The Labor Mobility Program is aimed at empowering young Bougainvilleans by offering them work opportunities in Australia’s agriculture sector.
It is a partnership between the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and Australia.
First Secretary to the Australian High Commission in Bougainville Dr. Fiona Crockford said it was an honor for Australia to partner with the ABG to start this as a pilot program in Bougainville.
“The labor mobility program is essential to the Australian Government’s commitment to build a stronger Pacific family, it aims to strengthen links between people, businesses and communities, fostering deep connections between Australia and Papua New Guinea,” said Dr. Fiona.
Kerangpuna explained that although PNG had it its own labor mobility program, having such a program exclusively for Bougainville is a great achievement as it will also strengthen ties and opportunities for Bougainvilleans.
Dr. Crockford said the program provides the economic pathway for participants to develop skills, earn good income and support their families back home, adding that the recipients will not only invest their savings in their families and communities but also contribute to the local economy by starting new businesses.
The ten female recipients were selected from North, Central, South Bougainville and Nissan and the Atolls.
Prime Minister James Marape is expected to attend several more meetings in Hong Kong and China including a Official State Visit to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
With Marape’s increased overseas travels, former Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill said it’s surprising to see Prime Minister James Marape head off overseas yet again.
O’Neill said it is worrying when Marape failed to attend the most important dedication of our country’s 48th anniversary, but instead travelled to Tari then flying overseas.
However, Marape said his travels overseas is for national interest and the visit to US is necessary as PNG’s national security takes precedence.
Marape attends the inaugural PNG-Asia Mining & Petroleum Investment Conference in Hong Kong on 16 October and the 3rd Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, China on 17 October.
In both conferences, Marape will deliver keynote addresses then depart for the People’s Republic of China on his Official State Visit to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in bilateral meetings, and attend the forum where he will deliver another statement.
Marape is expected to advocate for Pacific Island Counties being affected by effects of Climate Change at a Chinese university .
His Majesty, King Charles III, has been invited to officiate at the opening of the New Court Complex in Port Moresby next year.
Prime Minister, James Marape made these remarks when meeting the new British High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ms. Anne Macro.
Macro assumes the role as Representative of the Crown in the Papua New Guinea succeeding outgoing High Commissioner, Keith Scott.
Before her appointment to PNG, Macro served as High Commissioner to Lesotho from 2019 to 2022. Her diplomatic career included roles as Deputy High Commissioner and Head of Political Team to Lesotho and Swaziland in Africa.
She previously served in Rangoon, Burma, as the Second Secretary for Political, Economic, Press, and Public Affairs from 2002 to 2007 and as Second Secretary for Trade and Investment in New Delhi, India in 2007.
Prime Minister, James Marape officially welcomed Her Excellency, suggesting her to visit other provinces to experience PNG culture.
“After settling into your office, I invite you to take the time to explore our beautiful provinces and get to know the essence of our nation,” said Marape
The British Government has recently increased it’s commitment in Papua New Guinea through Water, Health and Sanitation programs and offered education scholarship in the United Kingdom.
Lae Biscuit Company, a Papua New Guinea (PNG) owned food manufacturing company, has made history by becoming the first in the country to receive accreditation from SAI Global for the Food Safety System Certification FSSC 22000. This prestigious certification is a globally recognized food safety standard, which showcases the company’s commitment to international food industry requirements.
The FSSC 22000 certification is based on the technical specifications and standards of ISO 22000, ISO 9001, ISO/TS 22002, and the additional requirements of FSSC 22000. The accreditation process is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), implying a rigorous system to manage food safety risks and provide safe products for use by companies in the food industry.
The achievement is a significant milestone for the Lae Biscuit Company, particularly for the Chow family who have nurtured the business from its humble beginnings to a level where it now competes with multinational companies.
In 2021, Lae Biscuit Company, alongside ten other food manufacturing companies in Papua New Guinea, was awarded the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification by the Papua New Guinea Certification Services through the National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (NISIT) in PNG.
The attainment of the HACCP certification took three years, while the FSSC 22000 certification required over a year of dedicated effort.
Ian Chow, Chairman of Lae Biscuit Company, expressed his pride over the company’s accomplishment. He commended the managers and staff for their relentless commitment and for fulfilling all the requirements to achieve this certification.
Edwin Elmer Wong, the General Manager, shared the company’s delight in being the first PNG-owned company to receive the FSSC 22000 certification. He emphasized the importance of the certification, from the procurement of raw materials to line production and final products, and even to the up-skilling of manpower.
“The certification underlines Lae Biscuit as a food manufacturing company that produces trusted brands of exceptional quality and absolute value,” said Wong. He also noted that the certification would further enhance quality production and productivity through the identification of specific control points and the implementation of appropriate control measures.
The achievement comes after the opening of the state-of-the-art Lae Biscuit Company factory in October 2017. The company now guarantees its manufacturing safety systems and management in compliance with the latest benchmarking requirements of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
The news of the FSSC 22000 certification came over the Independence weekend, marking a new chapter of global recognition for Lae Biscuit Company and Papua New Guinea’s food manufacturing industry.
The process in re-opening Porgera Gold Mine is almost at the end, this was made mention by Prime Minister James Marape.
The Prime Minister on behalf of New Porgera received the environmental permit from the Conservation and Environment Protection Agency (CEPA).
The permit is part of the process of the granting of the Special Mining Lease (SML) to reopen Porgera Mine.
Jude Tukuliya the acting managing director for the Conservation and Environment Protection Agency (CEPA) said.
The last three years the Marape Rosso Government has been working hard to reopen the Porgera Mine.
And with the transferring of the environmental permit, this signifies Governments commitment in seeing the mine reopen.
“There has been many legacy issues passed on over the years and New Porgera will still be required by law to attend to a number of regulatory and policy concerns,” Tukuliya said.
He further highlighted that one main issue is the 1995 Ministerial Determination for Compensation for environmental damages caused by discharges of mine wastes including tailings and sediments into the riverine system.
He said NPL will work with CEPA and State Team to undertake a detailed review of the Determination, before a new Determination can be entered into.
“The environment permits are essentially the important management tools the New Porgera Limited will utilize, rely upon and will seek guidance to meet statutory environmental obligations and to better manage the environment in Lagaip Porgera, Strickland River System, all the way down to Lake Murray and the Fly River Estuary,” Tukuliya said.
Prime Minister James Marape said the opening of the new Porgera mine is drawing closer, and the receiving of this permit is part of the process.
“We will allow the process to go ahead so we are almost coming to the end; I just want to indicate to all stakeholders more importantly, to our country, which have been waiting patiently for the reopening.
“If I had it in my own way, by way of voice and direction it would have happened one year ago, when we signed the Porgera Framework, but we are a country that follows the rule of law and process,” Marape said.
Marape further stressed that the New Porgera will ensure they work within the requirements of the environmental permits.
“As the Government I just want to give support to CEPA’s view that continual work on environmental management will be done to make sure that New Porgera Limited does not tamper with the permit requirements and will be done with prudent environmental care and management of the Porgera Valley and the Porgera river system.
“We will not compromise the interests of the future of our Children of Porgera, Riverine the children of Strickland River and the entire foot print of the Porgera Valley,” Marape said
The Prime Minister also announced that plans are in place to have the population within the SML have a better improved living standard as the gold mine progresses.
“Your life as we operate the mine the next 20 years and even beyond that possibly similar to a sustainable facility we have in Ok Tedi will be looked at so that Children of not just of the SML as we relocate you away from the SML Villages to a better life the children of the Porgera river system are protected.
“We will relocate you out to our infrastructure development grant allocated tax credit projects that will impact all of you but more importantly a sustainable development program will be put in place,” Marape said.
Simon Kilepa, Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change said there would be an environment audit to follow suit.
“The transfer of the environmental permit is a milestone for me as a first term Member of Parliament in my first year in office, knowing that what my authority has done something to better the lives of those impacted.
“An environmental audit will be done forthwith in the not so distant future as the mine progresses, even so in the four yeas of its shutdown operator Barrick Niugini Limited has taken the burden of maintaining it thus far without government input,” Kilepa said.
The invitation given by United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Jamal Abdulla Al Suwaidi signifies the support in addressing climate change effects in the Pacific Region.
Suwaidi heads a unique position in the United Aarab Emirates Government and he’s accredited to Papua New Guinea from Singapore.
Marape outlined his intention to lead a delegation to Dubai for COP28, accompanied by the Ministers for Environment Conservation and Climate Change, International Trade and Investment, and Forestry.
In the forestry sector, Marape aims to establish an arrangement for direct trade of timber products to the UAE market.
Marape pledged to amplify advocating for compensation for Pacific Island Forum (PIF) member countries affected by global warming and emphasized the need to safeguard oceans and marine ecosystems.
Marape said, his initial hesitation to attend the conference was rooted in concerns expressed at the One Forest Summit in Gabon earlier this year.
The World Leader’s Summit will be held in Dubai on December 1st to 2nd.
