PM Marape commits K3 million to Moresby North-East women MSMEs
Approved for Release: 02nd November 2020.
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says the Government and National Capital District Commission (NCDC) will give another K3 million to women Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Moresby North-East.
This adds on to the K3 million allocated by Moresby North-East MP Hon. John Kaupa for women MSMEs in his district.
Prime Minister Marape announced this when launching the Moresby North-East MSME Programme in front of a crowd of hundreds of women from 280 groups at Sir John Guise Stadium.
The groups have a combined membership of 20,000-plus.
The women had been waiting as early as 8 am for the event to start at 1 pm
Also present were National Capital District Governor Hon. Powes Parkop, Minister for Commerce and Industry Hon. William Duma, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Hon. John Simon, Vice-Minister for Treasury Hon. Win Dakri Daki, National Gaming Control Board Chief Executive Officer Ms. Imelda Agon, Secretary for Community Development and Religion Mrs. Anna Kavana Bais, Bank South Pacific (BSP) CEO Mr. Robin Fleming, and National Development Bank (NDB) and SME Corporation Chairman Mr. Michael Mell.
“Moresby North-East has 20,000 women (MSMEs) to whom your Member has already given K3 million,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“Your Government, including Minister Duma and Governor Parkop, has put another K3 million on top.”
Prime Minister Marape urged women to open up bank accounts and start saving money from their MSMEs.
He said if a woman got a loan of K10,000, she would pay only K75 per month at BSP, over 10 years, and only K30-40 at NDB.
“If you repay your loan quickly, and the bank knows that you are a good customer, you can go up another level and take another loan,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“The Government is creating this credit facility for you to go up to the next level.
“What your Member (Hon. Kaupa) has given you is seed capital to go into business.
“Today, I urge all you mothers: go into business.
“You can do it, don’t let others sat that you can’t do it.”
Prime Minister told the story of a woman market vendor in his Tari District, who from those humble beginnings of 1986, was now a millionaire who owned properties in Port Moresby and Lae.
“Success does not happen overnight,” he said.
“Today, for the first time in 45 years, you have a Government that is willing to give money to those who can work hard.
“Some former government focused on expatriates and big contracts only.
“I am focusing on the little people in the villages.
“I dream of a time when Papua New Guineans will have money in their own pockets and not depend on a wantok, a politician, or someone else.”
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