Official says coffee should be seen as a business

PNG Coffee Industry Corporation Ltd (CIC) acting chief executive officer Charles Tambui says coffee is no longer an insurance crop and industry players need to view it as a business.
“The Government wants to see the coffee sector move forward but with the appointment of the new CIC board members, there will be many challenges tasks to overcome,” he said.
Tambui spoke at the swearing-in of 12 board members in Eastern Highlands’ Goroka on June 25.
CIC said in a statement that the National Executive Council (NEC) had finalised the appointments after one and a half years.
The nine newly appointed non-ex officio directors include Jack Kulam (WHP Smallholders Coffee Growers Association – SHCGA), Patrick Komba (Enga and others SHCGA), Benny Memeyong (Mamose SHCGA), Wellington Sauni (Southern SHCGA), John Inerehu (EHP SHCGA), John Are (Simbu SHCGA), Mark Munnull (plantations and processors association), Jerry Kapka (exporter’s council), and Ellison Ketauwo (PNG Block holders Coffee Growers Association).
The ex-officio directors who are government representatives and also sworn in include Stephen Mombi from the Agriculture and Livestock Department, Agnes Martin from the Commerce and Industry Department and Martin Teine from Treasury.
Tambui said the Government has allocated K10 million for the coffee industry for the first time, in line with its focus on the agriculture sector, and it wanted to see tangible changes in the industry.
Kongo Coffee Ltd and exporter’s council director Jerry Kapka said the Government invested into the agriculture sector through the price support programme.