Businesses urged to tap into downstream processing

By PETER ESILA
PRIME Minister James Marape has urged businesses to go into downstream processing to strengthen the economy and support the domestic industry.
Marape toured the Paradise Foods Ltd factory in Port Moresby yesterday to see how the company was manufacturing its products here.
Marape was told the company still imported corn for some of its products, which could be supplied by local growers.
“This factory needs (local) corn,” he said.
“I just came out of a processing line that is importing corn.
“We can grow corn in PNG.”
Marape was excited to see the company being innovative, creating jobs and focusing production locally.
He said the Queen Emma Chocolate production proved that the country could move from exporting raw materials to making value-added products.
“We want to go downstream to certify our local market, as well as export to economies around us,” he said.
“I am happy to see an industry that has been in existence outside of political motivation and incentives.
“They have been at work since 1945.
“I am totally overwhelmed.
“And if there is any way that the Government can assist whether it is incentive, to fiscal support in these tough times.” Paradise Foods Ltd chief executive officer James Rice said it was always the company’s goal to localise its products.
“Last year, we added 175 new jobs to the company,” he said.
“We found five things that we imported that we now buy locally.
“We have a list of more items that we are going to bring on shore. It is all part of the same initiative – that if it is good for the country, it is good for the company and everybody.”