Consumables on demand

By DALE LUMA
BUSINESSES have seen an increase in spending on consumables in the period leading up to the General Elections 2022 (GE22), according to the PNG Manufacturers Council.
Chief executive officer Chey Scovell said this was evident with Members of Parliament especially in the Highlands, as they were preparing for the elections.
Scovell said in general, sales of fast moving consumable goods (FMCGs) continued to increase in other parts of the country, although figures had declined between 35 per cent and 45 per cent for the Port Moresby sector in the National Capital District (NCD).
Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry (POMCCI) president Rio Fiocco previously told The National that certain businesses would benefit in the general election period with an increase in cash flow.
These included businesses who provide printing, car hire and sales.
Fiocco also warned business houses in Port Moresby to take extra security precautions and if possible install CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras because there could be cases of opportunists looking to steal throughout the period where large crowds gathered.
“There will be some businesses that there will be doing better,” he said.
“For example, those businesses that will do printing, hire cars.
“Companies that sell outboard motors and dinghies will do better in the election periods as well as motor vehicles.
“It’s quite selective.”
Fiocco had also highlighted that traditionally, the election period had a negative impact on the coffee industry as it was the time for cherry picking but people were preoccupied with the election.