Call to invest in manufacturing

THE Papua New Guinea Manufacturers Council says the Government should be a facilitator for investment in the industry as it has many flow on effects such as creating jobs for Papua New Guineans.
PNGMC chief executive officer Chey Scovell said this during the opening of Goodman Fielder’s new rice plant in Port Moresby yesterday.
He said manufacturers were the linchpin for the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“Investment provides many jobs, skills training and of course you’ve heard abouta few hundred jobs created here (Goodman Fielder),” Scovell said.
“But they will be using predominantly the SMEs.
“Like you see the fences outside, security and electrical contractors.
“So the manufacturers are also the linchpin for SMEs.
“When you support a big manufacturing operation, it’s got a massive flow-on effect.”
Scovell said the manufacturing industry could create up to a million jobs and this could be done through expansion and investment.
“Goodman Fielder is leading by that example with that commitment to PNG, their employees and their commitment to putting affordable food on the table for Papua New Guineans.”
Scovell encouraged the people to buy locally made products.
“When you buy PNG made, you create more jobs.”
Meanwhile, Paradise Foods Limited chief executive officer James Rice recently told The National that the manufacturing companies accounted for only five per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) but 40 per cent of the country’s jobs.
“That’s because manufacturing companies like mine have an exponential impact on jobs when we buy locally,” he said.
“Government actions and policy needs to support and develop manufacturers to ensure we have jobs in this country for everyone that wants one.”