WB invited to push SME policy

THE Department of Commerce and Industry has invited the World Bank (WB) to be a partner to develop, finance and carry out the small-to-medium enterprise (SME) policy.
This would be in the area of accessing financing facilities, according to Commerce and Industry minister Gabriel Kapris.
The invitation was made yesterday when WB director for the Pacific region (Pacific department) Ferid Belhaj made a courtesy visit to Kapris.
Belhaj was in the country from Monday for a consultation visit to familiarise himself with the WB operations in PNG and meet senior government officials and major stakeholders in the public and private sector.
He expressed gratitude to the government in its commitment in working with the bank as a development partner in the development and growth of the country’s economy.
Kapris, who is also member for Maprik, assured Belhaj the PNG government was is in consultation with the bank to establish a risk sharing facility to make it easier for SME borrowers in PNG access capital necessary to establish, develop and operate SMEs.
Kapris said Belhaj’s visit was WB’s sign of confidence in the PNG government and the people.
Belhaj departs today.