Maru urges SMEs to attend Madang summit

 SMALL and medium enterprise (SME) owners have been encouraged to attend a three-day summit in Madang next month.

Registration for the summit closes tomorrow, according to Minister for Commerce Trade and Industry Richard Maru.

One of the items on the agenda is the finalisation of a list of businesses reserved for PNG citizens and government incentives to assist PNG businesses.

Madang will host the summit from July 1-3.

SME owners in the provinces have been urged to register with any National Development Bank branch around the country.

Maru said 500 spaces were available for any interested individuals or SME owners. Registration fee is K250.

Maru said each province was allocated 13 spaces and would be on a first-come first-served basis.

“It will cost K1 million to host the summit and the Government will meet some of the cost,” he said. 

“We are also seeking sponsorship from the private sector.”

The three sponsorship categories are gold at K100,000, silver at K50,000 and bronze at K20,000.