Creating business opportunities

 IN 1997, Sarah Haoda Todd started a cleaning business in Lae with only three employees. 

In 2008, Lae Everclean expanded to Port Moresby. In 2012, Sha-mata Clothing with the product brand of PNGian Kala was added to her suite of companies. In 2011, Sarah was named the winner of the SP Brewery entrepreneur award and overall Westpac Outstanding Women of the Year. 

Today, Sarah spends her time managing business interests in PNG, Australia, Fiji and Asia while juggling 250 staff. 

She is one of a growing number of Papua New Guineans who have not only harnessed the vast opportunities for trade between the two largest Pacific economies but also the growing trade links with Asia.

Westpac PNG managing director Geoff Toone said: “When Westpac opened in PNG and Fiji more than a century ago, we knew that we were building more than just banks – we were helping to open up avenues for the flow of trade, capital and people between the Pacific, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. 

“Our first customers in PNG were predominately companies who operated only in Port Moresby or in one province and now Westpac is proud to be recognised as a very strong partner to companies big and small who are exporting goods, services and resources across the world.”

Westpac itself began as a small business operating in one Australian state. 

It has since grown to become one of Australia’s biggest corporations and employs approximately 35,000 people globally, with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, India, New Zealand, London and New York. 

Its international operations and innovative digital products allow customers to easily bank beyond traditional borders.

While looking to trade beyond international borders, Westpac continues to focus on its key Pacific markets of PNG and Fiji. 

Westpac Pacific general manager Greg Pawson: “We’re growing fast in PNG and Fiji – over the past three years our customer base has tripled and we’re committed to banking these customers and their families for generations to come. 

“We’re investing to improve existing branches and open new ones, we’ve grown our ATM and in-store presence and we’re introducing sophisticated but simple-to-use products to the PNG and Fiji markets like Westpac’s unique mobile banking platform for business, corporate online.”

Westpac Fiji general manager Adrian Hughes recently visited Port Moresby to meet with some of the many companies who have major operations in both Fiji and PNG.

“It’s no secret that the Fiji and PNG economies are the powerhouses of the Pacific, and that trade routes between the two countries are good and growing,” he said. 

“But it’s really pleasing to also see an increasing number of Asian-headquartered multinationals opening operations who, like us, are in Fiji and PNG for the long haul and committed to driving sustainable economic growth.”

Last year, Westpac was named Number One in the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the world due to its commitment to strong governance and responsible lending, social and environmental responsibility and the bank’s work to promote gender equality.

Westpac is now calling for nominations for the annual Westpac Outstanding Women (WOW) awards, PNG’s premier awards for women which is now in its ninth year. 

To read more about Sarah Haoda Todd and other past WOW winners, and find out how to nominate for this year’s awards, visit www.facebook.com/WOWawardsPNG