Women’s group get bilum contract

Business

By Memo Hauke
A GROUP of local women has been given a contract to prepare more than 1000 bilum and PNG-coloured neck pouches for the medal presentation ceremonies of the 2016 Fifa Women’s World Cup.
The women call themselves the Port Moresby Women Making Bilum Association.
It president Dyan Nime told The National last week that it was not the first contract signed with the Games Organising Committee.
The association was formed in 2013 and now has 150 members making bilum for special events in Port Moresby.
“The first contract was during the 2015 Pacific Games held in Port Moresby. The group of women were rushed to make 1300 bilums,” she said.
“It was our first big contract and a learning curve for all of us.  It was not planned properly and we had difficulties when the games began.
“But we tried our very best to cover the whole ceremony and we somehow managed to pull through.”
The group was also tasked this year to make 50 “executive” bilum during the Apec Business Advisory Council Summit at the Waigani Convention Centre.
“We made 50 executive bilum at K150 each which was presented to the leaders of the world who attended the summit,” she said.
“The Fifa World Cup is bigger than the Pacific Games and we want to prepare in advance so we cater for all the bilum needs for all the ceremonies.
“We have our training through the International Trade Centre. We charge our bilums depending on the size and pattern from K30 to K200.”