Development road map to help transform industry

Business

PRIME Minister James Marape launched a coffee development road map and a business plan put together by the Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) in Goroka, Eastern Highlands on Thursday.
The plans titled National Coffee Development Road Map 2020 – 2030 and CIC Strategic Business Plan are focused on transforming the multi-million kina coffee industry into multi-billion kina coffee industry by 2030, according to CIC chief executive Charles Dambui.
Dambui said the plans would plot the way forward for the industry.
“In these plans we see changes in the structure of the industry and the organisational structures and reforms in the way coffee business is conducted by CI,” he said.
Dambui said the strategic business plan was basically to align CIC programmes on how to best deliver on the key platform over a 10-year period.
He said the plan would be driven by CIC, partners and key stakeholders as the ultimate aim was
to reach three million bags by 2030 which would generate K1.5 billion.
“We are making this bold stand and want to deliver on this target.”
Dambui said the industry was largely owned by indigenous farmers who should be empowered and assisted to get into small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“The plan will be driven by stakeholders particularly the growers.
“As much as possible we want to shift the focus back to the growers. We are getting criticisms for not growing the industry.
“The plan is to give ownership back to the stakeholders who own land and coffee trees,” he said.