Govt eyes pathways to involve youths in small businesses

POLICING will continue as a measure to curtail law and order problems while the Government expands education pathways for youths to be involved in small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), Prime Minister James Marape says.
Marape was providing an update on the Government’s efforts to improve the law and justice sector to business people last Tuesday during a breakfast meeting in Port Moresby. He said efforts were being made to mobilise youths through distance learning, plus a big capital injection into the SME sector.
In the 2020 and the 2021 budgets, the Government allocated K200 million to strengthen SME sector.
“Law and order remain a key challenge,” Marape said.
“Direct policing of our law and order is important but the Government sees long-term investment to assist in the fight against these problems.”
He said a group of people from the hinterland of Morobe made a six-hour trip by road to sell their coffee in Lae last year.
They made a K400,000 profit for their cooperative.
“This story is encouraging,” Marape said.
“This is an indication that when youth are positively mobilised, they tend to focus on making money and not engaging in unlawful activities.
“That way, law and order issues are minimised.
“The Government is also investing substantially in flexible and open learning. This is education for those who have left Grade 8, 10 or 12. These young people can graduate through the alternate learning pathways.”