Programme promoting business in rural areas launched

AN ambitious resource development programme aimed at promoting business in rural PNG, particularly using cultural diversity as the basis of economic empowerment, was launched in Port Moresby  last week.
Various religious organisations and non-governmental agencies were behind the programme.
An array of traditional culture was on display that blended well with prayers and worship at the Sir John Guise Stadium.
Close to 200 people representing the country’s 22 provinces witnessed the launch.
Sane Gao, a former bank executive and diplomat and the man who initiated the programme, said rural people throughout the country would have the opportunity to trade their resources for a much better return using a simple scheme.
He called on the government to support the grassroots programme as it would ultimately enable resource owners to trade their commodities on the international markets.
“The current trend shows that most Papua New Guinean resource owners have been highly disadvantaged with zero benefit coming back to them directly from the exploitation of their timber, cash crops and gold,” Gao said.
“Therefore, this programme is specifically designed to suit their needs and more importantly to encourage a level playing field.”
He said empowering rural people to participate more in economic development would move the country forward.
Gao’s business group PNG Cultural Resource Development Centre was spearheading the programme.
The occasion was significant with Jewish rabbi Garry Francis Moore taking part in the launch.
Moore said it was important for PNG people to maintain their cultural identity and be peace-loving.
Speaker Leontine Tamate said it was time for women to make a decisive move and avoid being left behind in the quest for total economic freedom.
“I urge all women from every tribe in PNG to make a meaningful contribution to the society,” Tamate said.
Dressed in her traditional Roro attire from the Kairuku area of Central, Tamate said every woman had a part to play in society building.
“We must teach our children to keep the good old culture and tradition.”
The programme would be launched in other major centres in PNG next year.