New Ireland backs small businesses

By AGNES FIFI UKI    
THE 2012 New Ireland provincial government budget presented by Governor Sir Julius Chan declared 2012 as the year of economic promotion and small scale business development.
This commitment is seen through the provincial support implementation programme funds being distributed by the provincial government to people in the west and east coast areas of the province.
A provincial government team led by the provincial assembly member and chairman of youth Engelbert Lutham accompanied by first secretary of the governor Jack Kamalap and Namatani district liaison officers has evenly distributed funds to the successful applicants in the areas located in the Namatanai and Ka­vieng districts for that purpose.
Sir Julius emphasised at the Konomatalik and Ranmelek districts that this important initiative supports the grassroots, enterprising and determined community groups and individuals to work hard and be part of the development process.
“My government wants small businesses to succeed at every level to build up the capacity of New Islanders to be part of the development in our province,” he said.
 “Sweat and hard work reap benefits but a lazy and divided society is unrewarding and stagnant.”
Deputy Governor Florence Stoken led a team again onApril 12 to continue the delivery of assistance for small local level government followed by the other LLGs in the coming days.
The provincial government hopes to help small vil­lage-based New Ireland businessmen and women participate in the overall economic growth of the province.
He said this assistance would go a long way in New Ireland becoming a self-sufficient society.