District aims to train, conduct SME awareness for people

WHILE Nawaeb, Morobe, is embarking on supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the district, it has also prioritised training and awareness for its people, according to an official.
District business development officer Fila Zongesia said late last year, the district development authority (DDA), under the Covid-19 economic relief package, had disbursed more than K200,000 to support SME projects in the district.
Zongesia said in line with the district’s business development activity plan, a SME training that concludes last week involved 60 participants at Buhalu village in Labuta local level government (LLG).
“Half of the participants are women (mostly mothers) who are currently engaged in cocoa production and marketing, vegetable farming and retail businesses,” he said.
Earlier in February, similar training was conducted at Boana station and the result showed more than 100 women opening up new banks accounts with Women’s micro bank while few of them went as far as securing loans to pursue their business interests.
Zongesia said those that attended the training could be recommended for loans from the district and provincial government’s schemes and commercial banks and be considered to take part in any SME funds from the National Government.
“This is why after the training, participants received certificates which would further identify them when it comes to applying for loans to start up small businesses,” he said.
He said the training also aimed at building SME capacity for rural people to effectively participate in small businesses.
Meanwhile, Nawaeb development authority through the chairmanship of local MP Kennedy Wenge pledged its support for its people to stand firm with government policies and continue to assist it’s people in SME activities.