India invited to help set up business incubation points

MINISTER for National Planning and Monitoring Richard Maru says the Indian government has been invited to help set up business incubation centres in Morobe.
Maru was asked by Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu in Parliament yesterday whether K30 million allocated to SME Corporation in the 2018 Budget would be utilised throughout the country to set up the centres.
“I have already moved in that direction to implement it in Morobe,” Saonu said.
“I had written to the chairman of SME Corporation towards the end of last year. We stand ready as we have identified land and also, providing some counter-funding to immediately commence the business incubation centre in Lae.”
Maru said the Government had started on the project in NCD.
“We are building incubation centres in all provincial capitals. NCD, with its governor, was the first to take this onboard,” he said.
“The intention was not only to have those incubation centres in Port Moresby.
“But I want to assure this parliament that the monies in the budget for 2018 is parked under the name of SME Corporation. They are the rightful legislated body to take charge of this project.
“They will liaise with NCD and will liaise with you in bringing SME incubation centres that we are planning throughout the country.
“In fact, for the record, we have asked the Indian government meet with you and the Morobe government to look at the next incubation centre which we are going to build in Lae.
“So I’m hoping between now and the next two months we are going to do a complete feasibility study to look at setting up a major SME business incubation centre in Lae.”