Manufacturers’ council wants below-quality players booted

By CLARISSA MOI
The PNG Manufacturers’ Council says it needs Government support to ensure that local manufacturing is not flooded with below-quality players.
Chief executive Chey Scovell said such companies had no regard for being role model employers and fully-compliant taxpayers.
“We genuinely welcome all the new entrants,” he said.
“Of all the business sectors, local manufacturing has always maintained the highest standards, with no shortcuts.
“We can’t afford to have contaminated foods, or unsafe materials being used in housing or commercial buildings.
“Our sector has always operated above Government requirements, policy and has often followed practice.”
Scovell said there was clearly a large amount of economic activity in the country.
“Containers full of goods are being imported and sold, trade stores are popping up everywhere, even moderately well-made malls and large complexes are being built,” he said.
“Many of the small trade store owners, in just three to five years, have become tycoons in PNG, amassing considerably large properties and developing them.
“How is it that businesses that have been here for decades, such as Brian Bell – with top management, a full commitment and focus to PNG been so tremendously outpaced by these new entrants?
“How is it that a small trade store owner can quickly amass such wealth and take huge market share from decades-long established wholesalers in the country – all whom like Brian Bell have a total PNG focus?
“They do it by not paying their dues.
“They under-declare the value of imports
“In some cases, they lie altogether about what they are importing and abuse State-funded projects to avoid duty.
“They operate without licences, obtain licences when they shouldn’t have licences.
“They either build without proper approvals, or seem to be able to quickly get approvals for things that don’t meet the requirements.
“They don’t pay their wages or superannuation, and they don’t pay their taxes.”