SOEs told: Prepare to compete

STATE-owned enterprises (SOEs) have been discouraged from dwelling on the old legacy of being monopolies and that they should be ready to compete in roles they play in the public sector.
Independent Public Business Corp chairman Gerea Aopi raised the challenge last Friday to several heads of SOEs at the opening of SOE travel centre by flag carrier Air Niugini.
“You cannot dwell on the old legacies of being a monopoly you have to change that attitude and change that culture so you become more competitive in the environment out there,” he said.
Among those who were present to witness the occasion included Chief executive officers Peter Loko Telikom), Brian Riches (Ports PNG Ltd), Tony Koiri (PNG Power Ltd), Air Niugini chairman Wasantha Kumarasiri, IPBC managing director Glen Blake, Colleen MacCarthy from Curtain Brothers, and Air Niugini general manager for marketing Colin Lyttle.
Mr Aopi said the travel centre was set up after IPBC requested for it.
“It was a request from IPBC to see whether we can have that networking going between the various SOEs.
“You have a common shareholder and that is the Government and IPBC holds those shares in trust on behalf of the State.
“So we would like all of you to be part of the team”