Business holds key to PNG’s growth

SERVICE delivery may be a function of the public sector, with parliamentarians setting the cue these days, but it is largely driven by the private sector.
The development agenda is often set by the public service, yet it is private businesses that hold the “nuts and bolts” that build infrastructure and provide the necessary technical expertise, apart from providing the tax revenue that government relies on to fund its activities.
It was, therefore, fitting that some of the country’s business leaders met face-to-face with the newly elected members during their induction last week at the national parliament.
It was perhaps the first such occasion where representatives of a number of companies met with MPs and showed what they had to offer in terms of products and services to their various electorates.
The week-long induction was helpful to parliamentarians, unlike those held in the past where only a handful turned up for a day or two at the most.
It was a valuable exchange and possibly and an eye-opener, especially for the first-time MPs. The businesses were invited to set up shop on the grounds of Parliament.
The MPs interacted with representatives of some of the country’s leading companies and learnt how those businesses could actually become invaluable partners in delivering goods and services to their electorates.
The private sector’s potential is often overlooked and at times kept out of planning in the district and local government level.
This should not be the case.  Instead of running to businesshouses or private institutions only when their specific services, products and specialist skills are required, political leaders should acquaint themselves with what is available out there that can help improve their electorates. In this rapidly changing world, one area that our MPs can consider serious investment in will be to make information as widely accessible as possible.
With technology available through service providers such as the mobile telephone networks and the State-owned Telikom PNG Ltd, access to information should be enhanced and encouraged.
The public’s hunger for new knowledge cannot be overstated; in fact the current trend is that the younger generation, especially, want knowledge outside of classrooms or lecture halls.
Valuable information and life skills in areas such as farming, basic first aid, family planning, small business management can be uploaded and made available to users even in remote locations.
Information that is relevant to the PNG context can be made available for the benefit of locals who can use it for their own benefit instead of relying only on agencies of government.
Extension services in areas of health promotion and delivery, agriculture and business development that have been done successfully by officials actually travelling into localities can instead be conducted via the communication networks available.
Financial inclusion is another area that our MP can have an input in.  This has been promoted over the past few years by  a number of agencies including the Bank of PNG and “micro banks” in the country.
In the area of physical infrastructure, there are companies specialising in producing newer construction materials that can last a lot longer than those being used at the moment.
If not available locally, these can be sourced from abroad by existing PNG businesses which have established links with overseas manufacturers and suppliers.
For districts or provinces to establish acquaintances with such business would be a bonus.
The opportunity provided by Port Moresby-based businesses last week for MPs should not be a one-off event.
It should be the start of more interaction between elected office holders and the private sector to develop a better understanding of each other’s needs, strengths and weaknesses.
With such knowledge, they can only work together better, cut down on wastage and improve on efficiency.
This will not only further the existing public-private partnership championed by the current government but also help in exploring other areas of cooperation.