Concern over counterfeit products

THE influx of foreigners into Papua New Guinea has increased tenfold in the last decade.
There is no sign of them slowing down.
Politicians, ex-politicians, businessmen, women and local companies are now engaged in businesses with these foreigners.
It’s well and truly entrenched into our society.
Even our locally-owned companies are employing them to run their organisations, when we have a big pool of well qualified and talented labour readily available.
It is sad that we cannot trust our own citizens to run our operations.
I wonder how many Papua New Guineans are employed overseas to run similar operations, own prime land, real estate and wine-and-dine with their politicians.
I believe the answer is nil.
Foreigners are shipping counterfeit products like cigarettes, beer, nails, shaving blades, biscuits, shoes, high-end mobile phones and PNG icons like bilums and meri blouses right under the noses of our customs and border agencies with assistance from politicians and dishonest officials.
These counterfeits are slowly destroying and killing the gullible public.
The economic loss, medical costs and law-and-order costs associated with these phony products are enormous.
Who will the eight million inhabitants of Papua New Guinea trust to protect the integrity, sovereignty and interests of the country?

Jarra Kawage
Kundiawa
Chimbu