PM vows to assist local businesses grow

THE Government will assist local businesses grow, including providing a “special rescue package” to those who find themselves in trouble financially.
Prime Minister James Marape in his address to the nation last night told local business people: “I have special interest into how you are conducting your business”.
“I will ensure the environment you are doing business is safe, secure and sound so that you can grow your businesses and ensure that you pay your fair share of tax to (the) Government.
“There are many Papua New Guineans who are doing business but their mortgage are so huge.
“It pains me to see their assets being repossessed by the banks.
“So my government in the 2020 budget will have a facility to assist small-to-medium businesses presently paying taxes, employing other Papua New Guineans and trying to reinvest back into our country.
“We will put a special economic rescue package for them, tailored to ensure they clean up their books, refinance their loans and ensure they go the next mile.”
Marape will also ensure that the Independent Commission Against Corruption Bill is tabled in Parliament “to save our nation from corruption, nepotism wantok system and many wasted opportunities we have seen in the past”.
“I will not be hiding anyone. Every one of us, leaders included, (must face) the rule of law,” he said. Marape urged anyone who may have “any evidence of corruption on any of us from the highest down to the rank and file” to provide evidence.
“Just don’t talk about corruption,” he said.
“Bring the evidence. (I will) ensure that the police (force) is functional and the court is functional so that issues that relate to corruption are dealt with expeditiously and correctly so that our society can be free from systematic abuse through corruption.”