SHP business feels left out

SOUTHERN Highlands chamber of commerce and industry president Berry Mini has questioned a company’s practice of buying provisions from Port Moresby when similar items are available at local shops.
The said company is constructing the Komo international airport.
Mini said business houses in the province were becoming tired of seeing companies buying grocery supplies in Port Moresby like tinned fish and meat, rice and other canned food.
He said they would not mind if they would buy foodstuff that are not sold in their shops.
Mini said the practice was not going down well with business houses in the province.
He said the gas project was  located in Southern Highlands and it was just right that outsider companies with projects in the area should procure their food supplies and other provision from local stores.
“It is unfair when big businesses in Port Moresby and Lae are benefiting from companies operating in our area while we, the business people here, are just looking at what’s going on.
“While the few people who own hardware business and heavy equipment in the province are seen to benefit from the on-going gas-related projects, majority of trade stores look like they are going to miss out on many business opportunities.
 “As a result, business activities are not picking up,” Mini said.