Promotion of foreign SME must stop, Pundari says

 THE promotion of foreign enterprises in the small to medium enterprise sector which locals can undertake must stop immediately, Minister for Environment and Conservation, and Climate Change John Pundari says.

Pundari, pictured, said foreigners were doing what locals could do.

“Most Papua New Guineans as politicians, executives of State-owned enterprise, boards, the Central Supply Tenders Board, managing directors and secretaries of State agencies are the best and champions in promoting and facilitating for foreigners to have the edge over our own nationals,” he said.

“We must now apply the brakes and prioritise Papua New Guineans ahead of foreigners. “Wake up PNG. Foreigners are taking from PNG what PNG can easily do competently.

“This has to stop and with the introduction of this policy, I am confident in saying it stops here.”

He said the regulators including the Investment Promotion Authority, Internal Revenue Commission, Customs, CSTB, Department of Commerce and Government agencies must promote this policy at all levels.

“The Government, its departments and agencies, donor agencies diplomatic corps, investors, financial institutions, training institutions and the business community need to work together for the SME sector to grow.

“The whole ecosystem must function in one accord and unity for the sector to move forward.”