Small enterprises call on govt to provide conducive environment for growth

By CLARISSA MOI
SMALL business owners in Port Moresby are calling on the government to create an environment that is conducive for them to operate.
Philma Kelegai, managing director for PNG Fashion Week, who owns and operates the Miss PNG shop at the Vision City mall, said the Covid-19 pandemic had seen small to medium enterprises (SMEs) being pushed out of business because the current state of emergency environment had seen business decrease.
“Systems and policies created must be conducive,” she said.
“You can say that SMEs have to be creative, smart, and (be able to) adapt, but you have not created an environment that is conducive for us. Rental is ridiculous at the moment in the city.
“There has to be some control and measures put in place to protect the people and, especially the small business owners.
“People are getting pushed out because the system is not strong enough to protect the interest of Papua New Guinea SMEs. As Papua New Guineans, we are the priority and the Government should have already stepped in with policies and legislation to protect us.”
Kelegai noted that technology was one way for small businesses to use but internet and call rates were expensive.
“Businesses are not moving because we do not have the infrastructure to allow us to be innovative and to create new opportunities and pathways. Business woman and managing director of the Frangipani group of companies, Janet Sios, noted that one of the challenges for small businesses was rental costs which are not regulated.
“Rent is one of the biggest parts of running our business and we anticipate that the industry should be at the forefront to provide us relief,” she said.