PNG's PM praises Kerema MP for Focusing on Women in Business

Papua New Guinea’s PM James Marape has praised Kerema MP Thomas Opa’s efforts on May 7, 2024, towards mobilising women within the district to venture into Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

PM James made some remarks after the Kerema District SME and Women's Micro Bank branch inauguration in the Kerema of Gulf. He also offered K3 million on order to start the programme. During the event, Elizabeth Genia governor of Bank of PNG along with her staff, Morris Taudevin, Gulf deputy governor and Miki Kaeok, Works and Highways vice-minister were also present there.

PM stated, “Our people must migrate from a subsistence lifestyle to cash economy, earning money from their land and locations they live in. If one million families earn K10,000 each year from MSMEs including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and tourism, that is K10 billion in the hands of our people. In the two months, I remember, I earned K3,000 and my mother told me to keep it for my university entry year pocket money. That K3,000 I earned in two months was when our economy was small and still under K10 billion, and the country's budget had not gone past K1 billion yet.”

While spotlighting the district development authority and Gulf government’ role, PM put emphasis on the assistance for mothers and men to venture into MSMEs putting focus on contributing to the growth of the local economy.