Chocolate, coffee steal show at expo

The National Business
Michelle Jerewai of the Department of Information and Communication Technology, with Mohammed Al Harmoodi, the co-founder and chief executive officer of the Trust Formula in Dubai. He is starting his cafe and is interested in PNG coffee.

PAPUA New Guinea coffee and chocolate have been attracting people at the Expo2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
PNG pavilion supervisor Daure Kiromat said the pavilion team started selling the products after completing commercial arrangements relating to tax, banking, bar coding and eftpos machine set-up with the UAE authorities.

Talent Rupuwu of Zimbabwe was given a Oro tapa hat at the PNG pavilion.

Kiromat said a Dubai coffee shop owner bought several brands for testing and promised to return to buy more if any of the brands was to his taste.
“The PNG Expo team will eventually match him up with the appropriate PNG Coffee producer(s) once he decides on the brand,” she said.
“We also intend to invite him to participate at the next virtual investment forum in November that would feature downstream processing and manufacturing opportunities.”

Michelle Jerewai (left) of the Department of Information and Communication Technology (left) assisting a coffee enthusiast of the Hellenic Republic of Greece to buy PNG coffee. With them are deputy commissioner-general Jacinta Warakai-Manua (second left) and Tourism Promotion Authority leader Alice Kuaningi.

Coffee consumption in the Arabic Gulf states including the UAE is increasing, especially among young people.
“There is increasing interest in beauty products, Virgin Coconut Oil and Honey as well,” he said.
“The team is telling the stories behind all our products from PNG farmers and communities which is drawing much interest among the buyers.

Alice Kuaningi (left) of the Tourism Promotion Authority attending to visitors at the PNG pavilion wanting to buy PNG coffee, chocolate and honey.

“The interest in Papua New Guinea products indicates that the country has potential to access the UAE market including the niche and cottage industries product range.
The team is led by PNG Ambassador to Brussels and the European Union Joshua Kalinoe.