PNG SME Magazine

16/12/2025

The upcoming National Cooperative Awards has taken a decisive step forward, announcing that only cooperatives formally registered as companies with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) will be eligible to participate. This decision follows extensive consultations with the interim national leadership of the cooperative movement tonight, who acknowledged that while cooperatives and business groups share many similarities as collective economic entities—both designed to pool resources and deliver benefits to their members—serious structural challenges remain.

One of the most pressing issues is that chairmanships are often passed down within family lines, reinforcing societal leadership structures that hinder the transition to professional business operations. This practice, combined with weak governance, limited financial literacy, poor record-keeping, and vulnerability to market fluctuations, has left both cooperatives and business groups exposed to significant risks.

The Awards independent risk assessment highlighted the difficulties in verifying cash flow, regulatory compliance, and operational systems. In response, the Committee endorsed the motion to tighten eligibility, aligning with the preferences that favor cooperatives registered as companies under IPA and IRC. Incorporation provides stronger governance, clearer accountability, and reliable documentation—factors that reduce risk and enhance credibility.

By shifting from family-based leadership to structured business operations, cooperatives can improve access to finance and ensure long-term sustainability. As part of this reform, Business Group submissions will no longer be accepted in 2026. Only company submissions from cooperatives operating for one to three years or more will be considered. Newly registered companies in 2026 will not qualify; they must first complete a full 12-month business cycle before becoming eligible.

Submissions for 2026 will follow a two-pronged approach, requiring that a Cooperative Society Certificate be accompanied by an IPA Company Certificate in current good standing.

"Ol Submissions bilong 2026 bai bihainim tupela rot, we Cooperative Society Certificate i mas kam wantaim IPA Company Certificate we i stap long gutpela stending nau."

This decisive move prioritizes accountability, professionalism, and resilience, while setting higher benchmarks for excellence across Papua New Guinea.

International Cooperative Alliance
International Labour Organization

Image (L-R): Cooperative Alliance PNG Chapter Highlands Region Vice President Jonathan Inapelo engaged in a deep discussion with Islands Region Vice President Joseph Tanalau during the 2025 AgriTradeExpo in Lae, Morobe Province.

16/12/2025

The organizers of the National Cooperative Awards have announced the 2026 schedule, along with new changes to the awards criteria and venue.

After a cooperative won the SME Award in 2021, the cooperative sector experienced a gap in 2022 and 2023 before being reintroduced in 2024. In 2025, the awards expanded to nine categories. Despite this growth, only some categories secured sponsors, while others were acknowledged for their resilience in representing a long-overlooked, community-based informal business society.

Awards Executive Producer Andrew Runawery, following consultations with corporate sponsors, constructive advice from government sector development partners, and guidance from leaders such as Reuben Yapi, Interim President of the PNG Chapter of the Cooperative Alliance, announced that the Cooperative Awards will move to Lae. This decision reduces pressure on the SME Awards and eases the burden on farmers who previously struggled to arrange travel and accommodation to Port Moresby. In 2025, part of the cooperative travel was supported by Jokema.

Mr. Runawery emphasized that new benchmarks have been established to nurture corporate excellence and strengthen business culture. He encouraged cooperatives to transition from traditional societal leadership models to formal Business Group structures under IPA.

For the 2026 Cooperative Awards, nominees must demonstrate:

1) Proof of corporate structure, operating systems, and processes
2) Formal registration with IPA and IRC
3) Evidence of cash flow through bank records
4) Clear supply chain networks from farmers to the export stage
5) Valid industry regulator certifications
6) Application of value chain practices, including marketing, ICT-driven systems, and modern technology to improve communities
7) Commitment to sustainable practices

While these standards may seem demanding, many cooperatives already meet them, and they should be replicated nationwide to strengthen the sector.

The Cooperative Awards Awareness Campaign will run alongside the SME Awards beginning in January 2026.

Nominations for cooperatives will open on May 1 and close on May 30. The awards ceremony will be held in Lae, coinciding with the closure of the AgriTradeExpo, and will take the form of a Brunch Presentation to allow farmers to return home early.

Interested agriculture corporates and organizations with vested interests in agriculture that wish to participate as a Category Sponsor are encouraged to contact the organizers via email: [email protected]

International Cooperative Alliance

15/12/2025

AgriTradeExpo26 |
The 4th AgriTrade Expo in Papua New Guinea is a national platform showcasing agribusiness, innovation, and financing opportunities, connecting farmers, SMEs, cooperatives, networking supply and value chain players, and investors across the country.

Who Should Attend |

- Rural-based smallholder grower farmers
- Micro enterprises and SMEs engaged in downstream processing
- Crop farming cooperatives and business groups producing commodities for export
- Fisheries operators
- All Commodity Exporters
- Commercial rural suppliers of mechanized agro innovations, machinery, vehicles, marine small crafts, communications and solar energy solutions
- Innovators in crop technologies and agricultural practices
- Financial institutions and banks supporting agribusiness growth
- Industry regulators, state commodity boards, authorities, and commissions
- Provincial Agriculture Program Advisors, District Representatives
- Young entrepreneurs entering the agribusiness sector
- Agriculture enthusiasts passionate about farming and innovation

Register Online | Form 1 - Delegates Only
https://forms.gle/ckmNiXQEuExupuZDA

14/12/2025

Passion is a beautiful slogan, but useless until it becomes a practice.

People often talk about “passion” as a grand, abstract feeling — something inspirational but undefined. It sounds powerful in theory, but in practice it rarely tells you what to do next, how to start, or what steps actually matter. It is a directionless compass unless you translate it into skills, habits, and real-world work.

Don’t chase a feeling. Build a craft. Passion follows competence.

12/12/2025

Sometimes when an opportunity, request, or plan is blocked, it’s not because you’re undeserving—it’s because that path wasn’t right for you. The “no” protects you from wasting time, energy, or resources on something that wouldn’t serve your growth.

"No" pushes you to explore alternatives you might not have considered. It nudges you toward a path that aligns better with your purpose, values, or long‑term success.

It forces you to reflect, refine your goals, and strengthen your resilience. It can sharpen your focus on what truly matters.

“No” isn’t always the end—it is the beginning of something better.

11/12/2025

Starting a business is never easy, and keeping it alive—let alone growing it—is even harder. Among the many stories we’ve shared over the years, one that continues to inspire is Tapioca Delight, a feature story in the PNG SME Magazine issue No. 1 in 2015.

A decade later, in 2025, they stand as a fully fledged catering operation with trained chefs, dedicated service staff, and an impressive range of equipment capable of handling almost any catering need. All of this grew from a humble tapioca‑cake side hustle.

Genia and Sialis have travelled a remarkable journey. We acknowledge their resilience, celebrate their progress, and commend their contribution to creating employment opportunities for Papua New Guineans.

10/12/2025

10/12/2025

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Stephen Topaleku, Brittany Giarua, David Walali, Indra Roy, Reuben Kora, Frefre Don, Simeon Soluwi Jnr, Doris David, Hosea Mete, Marika N Walaunia, James Wele, Darren Naweyah Semdip, Konio Kaia Toua, Mal Williams Kelebi, Alphonse Beko, Jonathan Numapo Launa, Emmanuel Kay Wiap, Betty Carol Madu, David Ropra, Levai John, Asa Tifati, Rachel Lapauve, Elias Yaragi, Hantundu Elizah Nathan, Darusila Viringa, David Irasua, Hilla Yambe Puli, Edwin Ootu, Ama Alice, John Kibul, Francis Asi, Wh**ey Blew Saidors, Kali Kali, Mark Danmark Banit, Helen Benive, Martin Ningi, Gibson Tibzmahn, Butty Silla Lokowai, Jnr J Pulu, Hezron Tegi, Steve Akope Nol, Cathy Seeto, Russell Dakulbang Tupaip, Selbyanna Jay Waip, Nancy Willie, Fredrick Sade, Numa Sonea, Eugine Tikenie, Esther Kuri, Micah Hinanu

09/12/2025

SME TIMELINE 2010-2020

There has been many government interventions for SME since 1975 . Whilst some SMEs have succeeded, many have succumb to economic conditions, infrastructure deterioration and deficiencies and a knowledge gap to maneuver difficulties.

The Somare Government revisited the SME agenda after coming into power in 2007 with the aim to develop the policy pillars that would re-ignite the sector. The SME wheel progressed with the O'Neill Government 2012-2019.

Since taking office in 2019, Prime Minister James Marape has taken SME to the next level.
Whilst more work is still needed, Marape's intervention is by far the largest dose in the 10 year period 2010-2020.

He is turning the wheel of change, focusing not only on Urban and Peri Urban Micro and SME Businesses but also Rural and Far Fural PNG with Agriculture and Connect PNG on his foresight - in his bid to make PNG a food basket for the Asia Pacific Region.

Other notable changes is the updated Policy Review by SME Corporation 2019, Funding of the SME Corporation, a New Board and the appointment of Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Sam Basil to Commerce and Industry which will directly over-see SME Corp.

The new Small Business Tax to be rolled out in April by IRC this year is simpler and is aimed at capturing a wider pool of Micro and Small Businesses as development partners in nation building and to prepare their respective growth compliance pathways to access government finance/support via commercial banks.

The Government SME Council has the Prime Minister as Chairman, Minister Commerce and Industry as Deputy Chairman who in this case is the Deputy Prime Minister. The government Council has a quorum of key economic cabinet ministers.

2021 - 2024, is a critical period for the SME Corporation Board Chaired by John Pora. Supported by CEO Petrus Ralda, they are on an alignment mission to set the tone for the SME Story 2030 and beyond.

09/12/2025

Congratulations to Harold Joseph Daniel of Malala Coconut Co- Operative Society Ltd.

Mr Daniel was named the winner of the Kina Bank Sustainability Excellence Award 2025 in the recent PNG SME Awards for his efforts in sustainable agriculture practices.

We look forward to more outstanding outcomes in this space.

08/12/2025

Key Takeaway |

Leadership is about vision, empowerment, and sustainability. It’s the art of creating a strong foundation so that others can add their skills, creativity, and energy to achieve something greater than what one person could accomplish alone.