New business hub for women entrepreneurs in PNG

A new business hub for women entrepreneurs in Papua New Guinea was jointly launched in Port Moresby by Australian Ambassador for Women and Girls, Natasha Stott Despoja AM and United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, Catherine Russell.

The Women’s Business Centre, co-funded by the Governments of Australia and the United States, will allow Papua New Guinea women with great business ideas to be mentored by experts and move their ideas into reality.

The centre provides support facilities with free internet access and child care services to allow flexibility and time for women to focus on their innovative concepts and build their business ideas.

An entrepreneurial program called the WeCreate Challenge is part of this joint funding support, designed to identify good business ideas from women and develop those ideas into viable businesses.

Australian Ambassador for Women and Girls, Natasha Stott Despoja AM, said there is enormous economic potential to be unlocked in Papua New Guinea.

“The business hub is about creating a space where women with clever business ideas can develop skills and access technology to help them start up their businesses.

“We know that the model of an open, export-orientated economy, with a flourishing private sector, in which women are equal participants, gives countries the best chance of increasing living standards,” Ambassador Stott Despoja said.

Ambassador Russell said, “As Papua New Guinea rises to be a leader in the Pacific, it will need the women of this country to play their part.”

“It will need women to contribute to the economy, and to help steer the country in the right direction. The United States is proud to support women as they move forward on this path, knowing that we’re supporting the entire country and its economy.”

The Women’s Business Centre and the WeCreate Challenge is a joint investment between Australia and United States over two years, from 2015 to 2017, worth AUD$1.7million and supported through the Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development Program.

For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100

(L-R) Australian High Commission Counsellor (Gender), Susan Ferguson; United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, Catherine Russell; Mona Lonndem Endehipa, Program Manager, Women’s Business Resource Centre; Eli Webb, Country Coordinator, Centre of International Private Enterprise (PNG); Australian Ambassador for Women and Girls, Natasha Stott Despoja AM; and John Morrell, Regional Director for Asia, Centre of International Private Enterprise.