Naru launches shop, presents incentive

 By GABRIEL LAHOC

Morobe Governor Kelly Naru yesterday launched the thirteenth second-hand shop outlet in Lae, Morobe, for the Pagini Clothing line worth around K5 million.

The investment, featuring two buildings with a spacious shopping area of 800 square metres and 650 square metres each, is the biggest second-hand shop in the industrial hub selling secondhand clothes and household items from Australia and New Zealand.

The company has branches in Eastern Highlands, Kundiawa (Chimbu) Wabag, Banz (Jiwaka) and has about a thousand employees.

Owner and managing director Chris Kopyotop said the good thing about the second-hand industry was that it provided employment for citizens without formal education.

“This industry does not need educated people, as long as one can understand common sense he is employed,” Kopyotop said.

“This shop will become a new shopping experience rather than rush-rush. People can have the freedom to shop,” he said.

Naru was impressed with Kopyotop for investing in Morobe and committed K20,000 to assist the business.

“My government encourages people to go into business, and this is the result of small to medium enterprises. If people like Chris can do it, you can too,” Naru said. “If we can have 20 to 30 Papua New Guineans become like Chris every year, this country will develop.”