SBDC obtains devt grant

THE Small Business Development Corp (SBDC) has obtained a K61,590 grant for its programme “start and improve your business” (SIYB).
The source of the grant is the PNG Democratic Governance Programme (DGP).
A contract sealing the funding was signed between between SBDC and PNGDGP.
SBDC will also contribute K8,710 towards the programme, of which K450 will go towards procurement and technical equipment.
DGP is a funding facility of the Australian Assistance for International development (AusAID) which helps PNG organisations (public, private, NGOs, and churches) to promote community empowerment through DGPs.
The SIYB programme has submitted a proposal for small and medium enterprises (SME) educational awareness under the media grant category to DGP.
Under the programme, SIYB has applied for funding to improve its programme content and outreach to rural communities by improving rural network innovation.
Regina Piam, DGP’s development coordinator (Southern/Islands region), said the contract would bind DGP to SBDC to support SBDC through SIYB and SME programmes.
The tie up is hoped to boost training which would be extended to other areas where there are entrepreneurs and those that are planning to go into small business.
Ms Piam said DGP stressed on “good governance, leadership, transparency, accountability, good systems and working practices”, so more people would be able to participate in the programme.