PNG to host workshop to give small businesses a boost

Business

PAPUA New Guinea will host a workshop aimed at developing policies that will improve the capacities of micro small to medium enterprises (MSMEs), according to the SME Corporation (Smec).
Smec managing director Steven Maken said the policy dialogue workshop would be part of the Apec SME week from Sept 10 to 14.
He said the objective of the workshop was to invite experts and participants to share experiences in an interactive workshop.
He said participants from developing economies could learn from best practices and acquire skills and knowledge that would allow them to formulate specific policies to support MSMEs in their home countries to tap into regional markets.
“One of the most crucial challenges facing MSMEs in Apec economies is how to create new business and investment opportunities in regional and global markets,” Maken said.
He said for PNG, the competitiveness for MSMEs needed to be supported to be globally competent.
Maken said key areas included electronic commerce, access to markets and access to finance.
“It is imperative to push an agenda at Apec workshops that is relevant to domestic issues. Our MSMEs have not yet reached a level of acceptable international standard to trade in regional and global markets.
There are only a few that are in this category,” Maken said.
He said it was important that Apec economies continued to promote the competitiveness of MSMEs so that there was increased trade within the region.