Work on shopping complex progressing well

 THE Simbu government and general merchandised company CBL’s deal in developing a supermarket and wholesale property in Kundiawa is coming along nicely, provincial administrator Joe Kunda says.

He said the provincial government and CBL had entered an agreement last year in which the company would build a supermarket and wholesale property  at the cost of over K5.2 million on government land at Wara market.

The agreement, signed between Kunda and CBL group director Chen Bang Liang, is for a 30-year lease after which the property would be given to the provincial government.

The building would house a groceries supermarket, a bakery, stationery, mini-mart, restaurant, food bar as well as a butchery, wholesale and hardware shops.

Liang said CBL had been operating in the province for the last 10 years and had expanded operations to Jiwaka and West New Britain.

“Since we began operation in Chimbu, we want to have our 

headquarters here and are committed to invest in the province,” he said. 

“After 30 years of operation, we will give the property to the people of Chimbu through the provincial government.”

He said about 50 workers would be recruited during the construction phase and expected to employ 150 employees for the production

Liang thanked Kunda, Governor Noah Kool, the provincial management team, Provincial Executive Council (PEC), Provincial Lands and Physical Planning board and those who helped to arrive at the signing of the agreement.

CBL public relations officer Brown Siwi said the agreement is a first for the province and the investment will be one of the single largest in Kundiawa town to serve the people over the next 30 years.

He added that CBL would pay land rates at K4000 per month.