Northern women learn how to run a better business

MORE than 30 women of Sohe district in Northern have been taught skills to operate small to medium enterprises supported by the PNG-Australia partnership.
The two-week course was facilitated by the SME Corporation for members of women’s groups and churches.
Many of the participants had already started their own ventures and needed business management support to grow.
Participant Cecily Souro appreciated learning about the legal aspects and responsibilities to operate a business.
Souro manages a retail store.
“I also valued learning the importance of marketing and research which are basics of running a business that we should consider but rarely do because we did not see them as a priority,” she said.
Edna Orovo from the
Higaturu local level lovernment had tried to start small businesses but faced challenges.
She runs tailoring and bakery businesses.
“I started my small ventures to provide a service to the community but faced challenges in managing my finances,” she said.
“I have now seen the importance of keeping personal spending separate from the main business operations.”