Govt keen on getting more public participation

 THE Government intends to increase people’s participation in national development through major reforms it has undertaken in its priority sectors, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says.

He told the annual National Leaders Summit in Port Moresby yesterday that the Government’s vision was to engage young people in the economy by helping them get into businesses, and grow existing businesses owned by locals.

“The billions of kina we are devoting to school education and trade training and tertiary education – and that includes free school education for all children – won’t be fully effective in its contribution to nation building, and shared prosperity, if it is not matched by enhanced opportunity,” he said.

“And the most effective way the Government can enhance opportunity for all is to grow our small to medium sized enterprise sector. 

“That is exactly what our Government is now doing through increased funding and training.”

O’Neill said the Government had rolled out a programme to develop small and medium-sized businesses. 

He said the 12-point plan the Government was implementing was going to work if all levels of government worked together to make it easier for the people to get into business.

“That requires a commitment to cutting red tape approval processes, looking at taxes, fees and charges that impede business growth and success, and ensuring small and medium sized enterprises get a fair share of government contracts and government business,” he said.