K1.3 million boost for trade store owners

A TOTAL of K1.3 million was presented to the fourth batch of trade store owners and women’s business groups in Port Moresby North-East electorate on Monday.
Peter Philip, chief executive officer of the North East Holdings Ltd, the business arm of the electorate, said the aim of the assistance was to support the growth of small businesses and generate revenue and support to micro-to-small and medium enterprise (MSME) owners.
He said those who had received their cheques on Monday could now start small businesses and initiatives to provide services and goods to the city while earning a living.
He said youths could also benefit from the programme and urged them to have their groups registered and to undergo training on starting small businesses and managing finances.
The presentation was done by local MP John Kaupa at the 6-Mile business incubation centre.
Many women business owners received their cheques.
“I am taking a bottom up approach to provide mothers in the electorate with small incentives to start small businesses,” he told them.
“I would like to see all mothers become financially independent without having to depend entirely on their husband’s fortnight but a helping hand for them to be able to put food on the table and send their children to school.”
Kaupa said the programme had received a lot of support from Prime Minister James Marape and NCD Governor Powes Parkop.