Games to boost sector

 By SHIRLEY MAULUDU

SMALL businesses in Lae, Morobe, will greatly benefit from the 6th BSP PNG Games that is being held in the city, Lae Chamber of Commerce president Alan McLay says.

He said: “I believe that the main sector to benefit from the PNG Games will be the small and informal sector.

“You will have seen the street stalls that have set up just for the Games. They are selling a wide range of mostly consumer products, such as soft drinks, smokes, T shirts, buai, fast food, top-ups for mobile phones and Games apparel and probably some illegal products as well.” McLay told The National from Lae yesterday that most of these small businesses operators were given the market created by the event. 

“Most of the operators are not normal vendors but take advantage of occasions like the Games to make a bit of a profit,” McLay said.

“Of course these street vendors have to get their goods from somewhere and so the wholesalers in foodstuff, goods and clothing will benefit as well.

“The third beneficiaries are the city retailers especially the pharmacies and supermarkets who offer items to the athletes and officials, especially those from other provinces where there are none of the goods on sale at these stores that are available. 

“From my observation, the girls are especially fascinated by the personal goods available for them.

“Then of course there are the city buses, the airlines and shipping companies who will make a good profit,” McLay added.

It is understood that those involved in informal activities such as art and craft flew in from other centres such as Wewak, East Sepik, to take advantage of the country’s national sporting event.