SME day creating awareness

 YANGORU-Saussia district, East Sepik, held its first small medium enterprises (SME) day recently, which was aimed at promoting and harnessing potential by small 

to medium businesses in the district.

Local MP Richard Maru urged other districts in the province and country to do likewise so that small businesses could be recognised in those local areas. 

“As the minister responsible for trade, commerce and industry, I want SME day to be organised in all districts in the country from next year and onwards”, he said.

He told guests who attended the event that for the last three years, the district had embarked on an aggressive programme to build roads to connect all its people, build classrooms in all the schools, construct health centres and all that work was continuing.

“We are constructing power lines to supply electricity to all our rural areas but our people can’t build permanent houses and access power if they don’t have money in their pockets,” he said.

Maru stressed that SME was about focusing on putting money into the pockets of our people.

“In terms of the big picture, PNG needs 450,000 SMEs or businessmen and women to start business over the next 15 years,” he said. 

“Our contribution as a district is 10,000. I am looking for 10,000 able small businessmen and women to go into formal businesses.

“You start small and eventually venture into your businesses. 

“Yangoru-Saussia district has 35,000 potential businessmen and women who by law have reached the age of 18 years and over. 

“We have 35,000 to take up businesses in a serious way.

“We in Yangoru-Saussia district must lead by example that’s why we are making history today by 

being the first district to have a day set aside to promote the growth of the SME sector starting today.”