Networking vital to link SMEs: CEO

**Kina bank officers assisting participants during the networking event. – Nationalpics by KENNEDY BANI**

By PETER ESILA
KINA Bank chief executive officer Greg Pawson says networking, reaching out and identifying a support group are important for start-ups.
Pawson, addressing small-to-medium enterprises in Port Moresby on Friday, said it was a good time now in the country to focus on growing SMEs.

Emstret Holdings Limited business development executive Bryan Earles (left) and Kina Bank corporate affairs and investor relations manager Hannah Pepson assisting with a Kina Bank digital platform during the networking event in Port Moresby last Friday.

The monthly networking event was organised by EmStret Holdings Limited and partners, where chief executive officers of companies share their experience and business insights with emerging entrepreneurs.

**Kina Bank chief executive officer Greg Pawson addressing the networking event.**

The emerging entrepreneurs met Steamships managing director Rupert Bray and City Pharmacy Limited Group founder Sir Mahesh Patel.
Pawson said: “Go for it in starting a business.

Kina Bank chief financial officer Chetan Chopra (left), City Pharmacy Limited Group founder Sir Mahesh Patel and Emstret Holdings Limited founder and chief executive officer Vani Nades during the networking event.

“If you have a great idea, and if you are confident that you can bring it to light, absolutely go for it.
“I think that’s what PNG needs: people prepared to give it a go.
“It is really hard sometimes, if you have an idea, and I have come across a lot of people that

**Lean Consulting PNG Limited chief executive officer Loretta Bele.**

have ideas, but may not be quite sure how to bring it to light, how to make it happen.
“Reach out, there are a lot of people and organisations providing the support that you need.”