Financial literacy important

Editorial

THE K200 million relief support for small medium enterprises (SMEs) and other small businesses in the country from the Government comes with stringent procedures.
Priority on one bank’s requirement is for those intending to apply for loan to provide a certificate of completion of a financial literacy course.
PNG is struggling in the area of financial literacy.
Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including personal financial management, budgeting, and investing.
The lack of these skills is called financial illiteracy.
Bank of Papua New Guinea assistant governor Elison Pidik said this was affecting the country’s ability to create or grow SMEs.
Most banks look at the SMEs track record, which points back to financial literacy, before approving a loan request.
The crutch of financial literacy is about creating wealth and have a series of income making assets so if one breaks down, there are still other generating income.
Financial literacy is not really about the power of money but having a sound mind that will help people know how to use money and channel it to work rather.
With financial literacy and a good cash flow, it enables people to make good decisions, have good homes and good standards of living and bring the country up the poverty line.
Financial literacy is important because it equips us with the knowledge and skills we need to manage money effectively. Without it, our financial decisions and the actions we take — or don’t take — lack a solid foundation for success.
Nearly half of the working Papua New Guineans don’t expect to have enough money to retire comfortably and that is the reality.
Most households in the country appear to be generally better at managing immediate and shorter-term financial activities but are less competent at managing longer term financial activities (including activities which require forward planning) and more complex financial activities, including those which require engagement with the formal financial system.
According to the World Bank’s Papua New Guinea Financial Consumer Protection Diagnostic 2018 report, one quarter of Papua New Guineans obtain credit from unlicensed moneylenders.
Though there are no official statistics available, it is estimated that PNG’s unregulated lending sector may range from approximately 50 to around 280 registered businesses that offer short-term (pay-day) loans to government employees and to some private sector employees.
That is not even taking into account all the non-registered businesses offering the same services.
Improved financial literacy can increase economic participation and social inclusion, drive competition and market efficiency in the financial services sector, and potentially reduce regulatory intervention.
The push for financial inclusiveness is achieving considerable success, but greater understanding of money and savings is needed.
Saving money is incredibly important.
It gives you peace of mind, expands your options for decisions that have a major effect on your quality of life, and eventually gives you the option to retire.
Most people who are wealthy got there through a combination of their own hard work and smart savings and investment decisions.
You can become one of those people, too.
Only financial education will make a big impact on our community.

One thought on “Financial literacy important

  • I do agree with the discussion on “financial literacy important” by the writer. There has also been some discussions on the media and those agencies involved will take views that are put forward by the citizens.
    The K200 million needs to be accessed by the simple people who are yet to start up something or those already involved in business. A lot in being said about financial literacy training for SME and it is anticipated that agencies involved in the sector are considering the importance of financial literacy.

    Financial literacy is required in business operation and without related skills and knowledge… business will not grow. Businesses grow and operate in an environment and has links with other services providers and clients for success. When businesses grow, it brings in direct and in-direct benefits that promotes progress as well , which in turn addresses related socio-economic issues such as poverty, unemployment and so on.

    The growth of SME sector through the K200 million will only work with the focus on financial literacy skills training.

Comments are closed.