As the garment and textile sector in Papua New Guinea (PNG) sees increased local innovation and production, the Women Enterprise Development Centre (WEDC) opened its new office in Port Moresby on November 15 to spur more entrepreneurship in the country.
Minister for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Win Bakri Daki, expressed optimism about the future of the industry, emphasising the importance of protecting the intellectual property rights of local designers.
"Protecting our national designers and artisans from infringement is crucial for cultivating innovation and creativity within the Garment & Textile Industry," he said.
The WEDC aligns with the Marape-Rosso government’s efforts to empower women entrepreneurs and support the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country while protecting originality.
The newly inaugurated center will be a hub for training, innovation, and business development, with a special focus on the Garment and Textile sector.
Daki said, “This event marks a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to empower and support women-owned businesses in PNG.”
Quoting Prime Minister James Marape’s 2023 statement, the minister added: “Leading a mother into this sector is anchoring the welfare of the family, and when the family is okay, society is okay, the country is okay.”
“The WEDC will empower women to acquire the knowledge and expertise needed to succeed in their entrepreneurial endeavors,” Daki added.
The minister also pointed to the initiatives to support the MSME sector, including the 2020 Budget, which allocated K200 million for the SME Agriculture Facility, marking the largest government investment in the sector.
He stressed that no other PNG government since Independence has been more committed to delivering for the SME sector than the Marape-Rosso Government.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s vision to continue developing of the MSME sector through key policy and legislative frameworks, including the SME Policy 2016 and other vital reforms.
The WEDC is the first of several business incubation centers (BIC) planned across the country, with ongoing work on regional BICs in Kimbe- West New Britain Province, Minj-Jiwaka Province, and other locations.
As part of its mission to enhance the skills of women in the garment and textile industry, the WEDC will also offer training programs, including Certificate 1 and 2 in sewing apparel, as well as specialized short courses relevant to the sector.
Daki underscored the vital role that MSMEs, particularly women-owned businesses, play in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and fostering inclusive development in the country.
“I strongly encourage all our key stakeholders to continue working in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, SME Corporation, and other relevant agencies,” he said.
Daki expressed confidence that the WEDC will be a step of hope for women entrepreneurs in Papua New Guinea, empowering them to contribute to the country’s economic prosperity.
“Congratulations to all those involved in the establishment of this remarkable facility. We look forward to seeing the WEDC nurture and empower the next generation of women entrepreneurs in the Garment & Textile Industry.”
SME Corporation Supports Women Entrepreneurship:
The WEDC is a crucial part of the Nationwide Business Incubation Centre (BIC) rollout project, a key initiative of SME Corporation.
The center will accommodate 10 trainees, providing them with access to a comprehensive range of business development services, including mentoring programs, legal and ICT services, and banking services.
Additionally, government agencies such as the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) and the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) will be on-site to assist entrepreneurs.
This initiative aims to equip entrepreneurs especially women with the skills and knowledge to transform their business ideas into successful ventures.
SME Corporation Managing Director Petrus Ralda expressed his excitement about the centre’s launch.
He said, “This momentous occasion marks a significant step forward in SME Corporation’s ongoing efforts to empower and support women-owned MSMEs in Papua New Guinea.”
"The redeveloped WEDC has come full circle since it was first established in the mid-90s as the Women Textile Training Centre (WTTC). The government has been making deliberate interventions for equal opportunities for women in the MSME space.
“The completion of the WEDC is the delivery of SME Corporation’s first KRA/KPI under the business incubation center,” he added.
The WEDC’s development included the demolition of the previous infrastructure, and the construction of a modern two-story building designed to meet the training and incubation needs of the Garment and Textile industry that includes training rooms, a showroom, consultation rooms, and office spaces for stakeholders.
SME Corporation has also been active in policy reforms. Mr Ralda shared that the government formulated, through extensive consultations and research, the new MSME Policy 2023, the MSME Medium Term Development Plan 2023-2027, and the SME Corporation Corporate Strategic Plan 2023-2027 set for launch by December 11, 2024.
The MSME Development Authority Bill 2023, a crucial piece of legislation for the sector, is up for deliberation in Parliament soon.
Mr Ralda expressed his gratitude to the various stakeholders who contributed to the development of the WEDC. "Your support and collaboration have been instrumental in delivering these key KRA/KPIs," he said.
The Commissioning of WED Center
The commissioning of the WED Centre saw Minister Daki accompanied by the Governor for NCD, Hon. Powes Parkop; Minister for National Planning, Hon Sir Ano Pala; Secretary for the Department of National Planning, Koney Samuel; and SME Cooperation’s Ralda.
Minister Pala reiterated that economic growth was the aim of the current Government.
“This Government wants to grow the economy to K200 billion by 2030. For us to meet our future expansions, a growing population and to meet the realities of our development, we must grow the economy; there is no other way.”
Secretary Samuel stressed that the MSME sector is set to become a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and export expansion, which are central aims of the Medium-Term Development Plan 2023-2027 (MTDP IV).
“The MSME sector will be the main engine of our economy. It holds the potential to generate thousands of jobs and contribute significantly to the nation’s GDP. By focusing on empowering women entrepreneurs, we are unlocking new sources of growth and ensuring that more Papua New Guineans can participate in the economy,” he said.
