Chamber: Involve local firms

 By ERIC BALARIA

THE Manus regional processing centre has no impact on business in the province, Manus Chamber of Commerce president Peter Poiou  says.

He said a lot has been expected of the refugee asylum centre in terms of development of the province’s commercial and economic status through spin-off activities but that was not the case.

He said local businesses had been missing out on opportunities because companies and businesses from outside the province were contracted to provide services.

“It is disappointing that this is happening because businesses in Manus have the capacity to provide some of the services,” Poiou said.

“This is an issue that needs to be looked into seriously because this is our land.

“The processing centre is on our land and should be able to provide the opportunity for businesses to part take as a matter of growth and expansion. 

“Their growth will allow the small economy that we have here to grow and match what developments that are currently taking place.”

He said the regional processing centre was sustaining businesses in the province.

He said apart from employment opportunities that were offered there needed to be more done to engage businesses.

He criticised the Government for not doing enough to see projects being undertaken as part of the agreement with the Australian Government.