The long-overdue Central Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is now set up with an interim board and is poised to deliver change in the Central Province by working with the Central Provincial Government (CPG).
This was announced on Friday, 14th of July 2023, with another historic moment as CCCI received a boost of Kina 200,000 to assist in establishing the CCCI from Central Governor Rufina Peter at the inaugural CCCI meet and greet at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby.
The event drew over 100 individuals from government to business and SMEs. From knights and dames Central Province’s finest turned out.
Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru, Minister for Mining and Rigo MP Sir Ano Pala, Hiri-Koiari MP Keith Iduhu, elder statesman Sir Moi Avei, Central Provincial Executive Council members, Chairman for SME Corporation John Pora, and Dame Josephine Abaijah graced the event.
CCCI will officially launch in September 2023.
The K200, 000 presented by Central Governor Rufina Peter is allocated from the Central Provincial Government 2023 budget allocation for the establishment of the chamber, which will be a network of business owners coming together to help guide business legislation in the province.
CCCI Interim President Linda Paru endeavours to protect and promote the interest of Central CCI members, which will also be a business and investment advisor to the Provincial Government and assist and develop foreign trade within the Central Province.
“Central Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a provincial chamber that will affiliate to PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry. As mentioned earlier, we will have a common objective with other Chambers like Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry etc.,” Ms Paru said.
“However, our unique position is that we are establishing this chamber during the PNG LNG Project and recently announced Papua LNG Project. This enables our members to have greater benefits, have access to resources, and capitalize on the opportunities this project brings to our door,” she said.
Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru stated that the CCCI was long overdue and encouraged the Central Government to make use of the chamber in collecting revenue for the province.
He called on the Central Provincial Government to align their goals with the Medium-Term Development Four-Year plan of the National Government that was launched last Friday at the APEC house.
Besides its gas and oil projects, the Central Province has 2.9 million hectares of forest for carbon trade or current logging operations, converting to downstream processing for timber by 2025. This is apart from fishing, agriculture, logistics, tourism, hospitality, transport, and other industries with small, medium, and large operations within the province.
With access to the largest local market in the country, Central Province is right to establish its Central CCI this time, and the time to start is now, Central Governor Rufina Peter said.
“The time is right, and the time is now for Central Province, the future for Central Province is in our hands, for those of us who are present here it’s not a mistake that were in here,” Peter stated.
The Governor added that she has three visions for Central Province: a united Central Province, transformation of Central Province, and a prosperous Central Province for the benefit of everyone, including the rural people.
“So I guess in the slogan and vision that I have, Unity is first, because if we are not united we cannot make it happen, we need to be united its different spaces when it comes to talking about development.”
“The Government at all levels -- National, Provincial, Local Level Governments -- need the support and need to work in partnership with the private sector, with other levels of Government and with the Churches and NGOs. Everyone needs to work together, because everyone has their own unique role to play for the benefit and progress of transformation and progress of Central Province and the country at large,” Peter said.
The first lady of Central Province called on everyone, including leaders in their various roles or capacities, to make most of the opportunities in Central Province “without dwelling on the past, using the experiences and learnings from the past to drive change and transformation for the province.”
“We need to be very clear where our role is what our role is going forward as we partner and work with other partners that we need to work with to arrive at the destination we want to. (The year) 2025, it’s not far away, and will be an opportunity to set new foundations, set new targets after a 50-year journey of independence in this Government,” she said,
“The National Government has the overarching plans that are giving us direction as to where they want to go to, the challenge is how do personalize that and make it happen where we are. Central Province people, how do we translate those plans and policies to real progress that make sense,” Peter asked.
As Governor, Ms Peter is looking at the enabling environment and the deteriorating conditions of roads, bridges, aid posts, and other infrastructure, including schools, which she admitted “is a challenge that lies” before her.
“I think it calls for everyone and me as Governor to play my role to the best of my ability as Governor, and equally everyone in their own spaces. The only thing that our people can ask from us and our shareholders, the people we are accountable to, can expect from us is to do our very best in what we do, and then link up, partner with us where it’s in their jurisdiction for the people we are mandated to serve.”
Governor Peter reminded the National Government that Provinces have authority running their provinces the way they want it, as priorities are set and not driven from the top down. As the provinces identify the priorities, the Government comes on board and assists where the provinces want them to.
The CCCI will partner with the Central Provincial Government through Governor Peter’s office and administration to bring tangible economic development to the 500,000 people of the Central Province.
CCI will also work closely with the Ministry for International Trade and Investment through the support of Minister Maru for the Special Economic Zone Authority to open free trade zones and encourage Foreign Direct Investment into Central Province.
The interim CCCI board is as follows: Linda Paru, Interim President; Esther Igo, Interim Vice President; Fred Uraru, Interim Treasurer; Dr. Warilea Iamo, Interim Local Business Rep; John Orea, Interim Business Rep; and Douveri Henao, Interim Secretary.
CCCI will address many challenges that face business houses in the province, be it infrastructure, legislation, training, transport, or logistics.
CCCI will assist in bringing in revenue for the Central Provincial Administration through ensuring all business operating within the Province pay their GST, levies in logging, etc. to Central Provincial Government for use to improve the local business environment.
