Bilum sellers face tough challenges

 THE selling of hand woven bilums (string bags) to earn an income is a challenge for women particularly in remote areas, Dorothy Ketauwo of Nokondi Bilums PNG said.

Speaking during the Melanesian Symposium in Port Moresby yesterday she said Papua New Guinean women were skilful in bilum making.

But, she said there was limited possibility of them being able to sell their finished products to markets outside of their villages or districts.

She said the selling of bilums make good money for the women to support their families as profit from their sale was 100% retained.

Ketauwo, who was based in Goroka, buys bilums from Eastern Highlands including other highlands provinces.

She then resells the bilums to customers across the country and across the border in Jayapura.

Ketauwo said the opportunity for Nokondi Bilum PNG to market itself and expand was limited. 

She said the expansion of the business was limited to festivals and shows that were being held especially in Goroka, Eastern Highlands.