Entrepreneurs uncertain

Business

By PETER ESILA
ALTHOUGH the future remains uncertain for some small and medium enterprises (SMEs), at least 30 women resumed their businesses on Tuesday as members of the Pacifika Womens Network in Port Moresby.
“We are not making any money and this is the only income for us – to market our stuff,” Tepa Tuku of Gentle Breez clothing said.
“We see that the world is affected and our nation.
“For me, my entire life relies on what I am doing.
“So when things (such as the Covid-19 pandemic) happen, I have no other place to go to earn a living. If the lockdown continues, I do not know what I will do because I do not have any other way to earn a living.”
She is looking after the business for her sister who is currently in Hawaii, USA.
They have been operating at the Pacifika Women’s Trade Centre for two years.
“My sister is in Hawaii and I am taking care of this,” Tuku said.
“She is not here because of Covid-19.”
They sell men’s clothes they buy from Australia.
“If the planes can’t go down (to Australia), I do not know what we will do,” she said.
“I do not know where and when we will get our orders,” she said.
“If the lockdown continues for another two months, I do not know.
“Probably I will shut down.
Not only me but also the SME mothers as well.” Damaris Irima of Ma Clothing said the pandemic was affecting businesses.
They were closed for two weeks.
The Pacifika Women Network has been operating since 2018 and supports about 87 women.