Make SME funds accessible

THE Government should consider parking stimulus package funds with the National Development Bank (NDB) and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Corporation so people can have easy access to the funding for their SME activities.
Though there has been no causalities reported so far, the pandemic has affected many lives and businesses.
People will find it difficult to access the funds if these funds are parked with the commercial banks because of their usual stringent requirements.
Commercial banks will confront people with their usual bank rules and regulations and various stringent requirements and thus prevent the people from accessing the funds to pursue their dream.
The only way forward is for the government to split the funding between the NDB and the SME Corporation.
The NDB will assist established Papua New Guineans and the majority who are in the SME sector will approach the SME Corporation for assistance.
They are the most appropriate government instrumentalities that the government can utilise to achieve the government’s interest and intended objectives, far better than parking the funding with BSP.
The people have been waiting for an opportunity just as this and the government has made a right decision to secure the funding to assist its people.
I urge the government to reconsider its decision to park the funding with BSP.

Castan Maibawa,
Former Okapa MP