Plans for duty free shop

 By GYNNIE KERO

PAPUA New Guineans will no longer have to shop outside of the country for international brands such as Gucci, Rolex and Channel, thanks to the City Pharmacy Limited Group.

The CPL Group continues to expand its retail network in PNG the recent being with Fijian partner, the Motibhai Group to operate a state-of-the art duty free shop at the Jackson International airport.

The Motibhai Group of Companies has been running duty free shops in Fiji for more than 40 years and has gained international recognition.

CPL Group chairman Mahesh Patel said the duty free shop would offer passengers cheaper prices for the international brands compared to Australian duty free shops.

The duty free shop would be located within the departure and arrival areas at the airport. 

Patel said the group had committed K3 to K5 million towards the investment.

He said the partners aimed to open the duty free business before the 2015 Pacific Games in July.

“This new business venture proves yet again CPL’s commitment to PNG market. For years, Papua New Guinea airport have been quite sort of run-down and not up to international standard.

“This partnership will bring absolute international standards compared to Australia and New Zealand, Singapore. 

“Our joint venture partner from Fiji has been in the duty free business for 43 years. Our aim is to be the best airport duty-free in the Pacific.

“The duty-free store will operate under the trading name of Prouds. All our inventories chocolates, fragrances are coming directly from Europe.

“When Prouds opens its doors in June, it will feature a long list of impressive high-fashion brands including Christian Dior, Rolex, Omega, Swarovski, Pandora, Lancome, Estee Lauder plus other exciting brands like Ferrero Rocher, Toblerone, Lindt and an extensive range of international liquor brands.

“Pricing again will be a great surprise to customers; the benchmark will be equal to or cheaper than the Australian duty free prices.” 

In terms of new job opportunities, Patel said with the duty free business, CPL intended to employ between 40 and 50 new staff. 

“I want to encourage people to come out and talk to us because we are constantly looking for good people. Training will be done. We will send some of our senior managers across to Fiji to get international experience.”

He said there were plans to duplicate the duty free shop to other provinces when international flights are available to other centres outside Port Moresby.