NDB loaned K20mil: Official

Business

By PETER ESILA
THE National Development Bank (NDB) has so far loaned out around K20 million to micro-small-medium enterprises (MSME) this year, acting managing director Gary Coplin says.
But Coplin said it was not part of the K80 million given by the Government for the MSME programme.
“We keep lending to the MSMEs around the country,” he said.
“In the first six months of 2021, we have lent K20 million to MSMEs.
“It is the same as last year, which is a bit less than what we want.
“But again we are in a period of economic slowdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation.”
He said confidence among the people to borrow money to invest in their businesses was low.
“(But) confidence change is just around the corner,” he said during the launching of the SME Corporation training of trainers programme in Port Moresby on Tuesday.
“Change starts with programmes like this, encouraging people around the country to start their own businesses, think about what they can do to generate income for themselves and their families,” Coplin said
He said the programme motor of “Growing micro-small-medium enterprises is growing PNG” was appropriate.
“If we grow from the grassroots to the MSME enterprises, then we will grow PNG.”