28 July 2014

Australia’s support for Manus small businesses

Almost 200 Manusians have furthered their business skills through free business workshops in Manus provided by the Australian Government.

The business workshops were held on the 15th -16th of July and provided key skills for Manusians interested in starting or improving a small business.

Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Her Excellency Ms Deborah Stokes said the workshops were held in response to requests from the Manus business community to help develop the capacity of small businesses and the people of Manus so that they could participate in economic opportunities, including those arising from the Regional Processing Centre.

Funded by the Australian Government, the workshops showed participants how to prepare a business plan, investigate business opportunities, set goals, develop financial management tools, apply for business loans, procure goods and services, and market their business.

“Manusian businesses are already benefiting from the Regional Processing Centre and currently there are ten Manusian companies that have direct business involvement and are providing goods and services to the RPC with an average worth of PGK400, 000 per week.

“There are also opportunities to provide services to the construction projects currently underway,” said Ms Stokes.

She encouraged the more than 63 per cent of women participants, including those that travelled from the outer islands, to use their new skills, and to turn their abilities and ideas into business ventures.

The training was provided through PNG’s Institute of Banking and Business Management (IBBM) and held over two days. The workshops were the first in a series of Australian Government funded training for business to be held on Manus.

Information about economic opportunities including sub-contract and supplier packages is available online at www.png.embassy.gov.au/pmsb/media.html