Corporation plans to roll out MSME training nationwide

By PETER ESILA
SMALL to Medium Enterprise Corporation (SMEC) will be rolling out the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) training throughout the country starting next year, managing director Petrus Ralda says.
He said in Port Moresby yesterday when giving an update on its training of trainers (TOT) programme.
“At the conclusion of the nationwide TOT rollout, Smec will have trained a total of 230 provincial, district and local level government officials,” Ralda said.
“In 2022, Smec will start rolling out the MSME entrepreneurship training.
“The training will involve 6,112 wards in PNG.
“Smec will soon complete its nationwide SIYB (Start and improve your business) TOT programme after the Southern Region lag which started on Monday and currently being held up at Sogeri in the Central.
“Consistent with the TOT rollout schedule, Smec has already completed TOT programmes for the New Guinea Islands, Highlands and Momase.
“Eighty-five per cent of the PNG indigenous population is illiterate and engaged in the informal economy.
“They are not able to access loans under the Government’s financing partnership agreement.
“It is therefore necessary now for Smec to build and further expand its capacity through the SIYB TOT rollout and conduct financial literacy trainings with its partners to build the capacities and qualify this 85 per cent to access loans from National Development Bank (K80 million) and BSP (K100 million),” Ralda said.