Businesses waiting for promised relief, staying positive

By PETER ESILA
CITY Pharmacy Limited founder Sir Mahesh Patel says the business is slowly rebuilding from the damage caused by the Jan 10 civil unrest.
“Rebuilding is slow due to a lack of funds from the losses,” he said.
“Imports have slowed down due to the loss of the stores and sales.”
He said the Government was yet to deliver on the relief package it had promised.
“The Government has to put its money where its mouth is and walk the talk. It’s now two months and nothing has been received,” Sir Mahesh said.
“Our issue has also been the lack of Kina in the business due to the lack of support from the Government for the loss in revenues, stock, fixtures, etc.”
Sir Mahesh said CPL had been operating in PNG for 40 years and had its ups and downs.
“I have forever been extremely positive, but as of recent times, over the last three years I have started having mixed feelings,” he said.
“The issue is that I love PNG, and the people. It’s the systems, processes, and management that has started clouding the waters.”
He said positive messages from people had encouraged CPL.
“Locally, we have been blown away with the support, encouragement, sympathy, from every corner of the country, and people from all walks of life. This single point has not only given us hope, courage and strength, but the determination to keep going.
“As for overseas, there has been sympathy, but I constantly remind them that the Jan 10 event is not PNG, it was an isolated incident.”