PNG SME Magazine

08/09/2025

🥩🌴Behind the Scenes at Numundo Steak Haus, Kwalimu🥩

At Numundo Steak Haus, it’s more than just food - it’s a family, a culture and a movement. 🌴🥩

30/08/2025

Provincial administration ignites record-breaking cooperative nominations | Cooperative Awards

Morobe Province has stepped forward with conviction, positioning its cooperatives as national leaders in a sector long overlooked since Papua New Guinea’s independence. Since the launch of the Cooperatives Awards on Friday, August 29, an impressive 23 nominations have poured in from across the province—from Wau Waria to Tewae Siassi and Finschhafen—reflecting widespread engagement and pride. This surge of participation is the result of a strategic push by the Morobe Provincial Administration, which has made a deliberate and visible commitment to revitalizing and supporting the cooperative movement across its districts.

While many provincial governments continue to operate in isolation, running fragmented SME and cooperative initiatives, Morobe Province has charted a bold and unified path through public-private collaboration. In its commitment to fostering inclusive rural development, the Provincial Administration took the lead by funding and hosting the AgriTrade Expo in Lae—an event dedicated to empowering cooperatives. The expo drew over 200 cooperative groups from across the Highlands, Momase, and the greater Sepik Region, culminating in the official launch of this year’s Cooperative Awards.

In 2024, the Department of Commerce and Industry’s Cooperative Society Unit - Registrar piloted four cooperative award categories as part of the Ela Motors SME Awards. Morobe Province made a strong showing, with three of the four awards claimed by its cooperatives—Sere J Pacific, Unen Choit Coffee, and Labuta Cocoa. The fourth award was jointly recognized and awarded to Kou Cocoa Cooperative from Usino Bundi in Madang Province.

The overwhelming success of this initial trial has paved the way for an expanded framework of nine award categories, now including sectors such as Livestock and Fisheries. With 23 nominations already submitted, the response reflects Morobe’s strategic, inclusive approach—working hand-in-hand with the private sector and embracing innovative programs to spark awareness, drive interest, and inspire action across the cooperative landscape.

Nominations for the Cooperative Awards will close on September 30, with the grand Awards Ceremony set to take place on November 13 at the prestigious Ela Beach APEC Haus.

The Coffee Industry Corporation proudly supported the Coffee Cooperative Awards as a sponsor in 2024 and has continued its backing into 2025. Eight additional award categories—including the major prize sponsorship—remain open for partnership. For details and sponsorship opportunities, contact the PNG SME Magazine.

Among the distinguished guests invited is Balu Iyer, the Regional Director for Asia and Pacific at the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)

To submit a nomination, explore the full list of categories and apply under the Cooperative section by visiting the PNG SME Awards official site. https://www.pngsmeawards.org/

Cooperatives Nominees thus far:
1. Lagaman Cattle, Sialum, Tewae Siassi
2. UNEN CHOIT Coffee Grower Cooperative, Tewae Siassi
3. Gelem Farmer Group, Siasi, Tewae Siassi
4. Sack Fisheries Cooperative, Labuta, Nawaeb
5. Ahi Labuta Fisheries and Agriculture, Labuta, Nawaeb
6. Nukna Coffee and Cocoa Marketing, Kabwum
7. Nasuaoum Cocoa Farmers Cooperative, Wampar, Huon Gulf
8. Tokam Farm Business Group, Markham
9. Biwa Cooperative, Sialum, Tewae Siassi
10. Kwaita Mini Coffee, Wantoat Leron, Markham
11. Rosengke Cooperative (fisheries), Lae & Finschhafen
12. Burum Kuat Fishing Cooperative, Finschhafen
13. Babuaf Farmers (Cocoa) Cooperative, Wampar, Huon Gulf
14. Malai Fishing Cooperative, Siassi, Tewae Siassi
15. Nabak Producers Cooperative (Coffee), AHI, Nawaeb
16. Kote Inland and Coastal Fisheries Cooperative, Kote, Finschhafen
17. Aromot Fishing Cooperative, Siassi, Tewai Siassi
18. Wantoat/Leron Inland Fish Farmers Cooperative, Markham
19. Alligator Fisheries Cooperative, Huon Gulf
20. Kapirso Cocoa Cooperative, Waria, Wau Waria
21. Lower Watut Farmers Cooperative (Cocoa), Wamper, Huon Gulf
22. Morobe Tuna Fishermen Cooperative, Lae
23. Morobe Fishermen's Cooperative, Lae

All submissions for the SME and Cooperative Awards will first undergo a rigorous screening process, which serves as the definitive test of each business’s current operational status. This phase ensures that only fully functional and actively operating enterprises move forward. Businesses that do not meet the minimum operational criteria may be sidelined at this stage. Those that pass will proceed to the judging round, where a panel of experts will assess them based on key pillars of excellence: innovation in products or services, measurable growth in areas such as revenue or market reach, and meaningful community impact through employment, development, or social initiatives.

Image:
In a symbolic gesture captured at the close of the Lae AgriTrade Expo, a Lagaman cattleman presents a cowboy hat crafted from genuine cattle skin to Mr. Ken Elonaga, Morobe Province’s Provincial Program Advisor for Agriculture and Livestock. The event, organized by StratCom—publisher of the PNG SME Magazine.

International Cooperative Alliance
International Labour Organization
UNDP in Papua New Guinea
Coffee Industry Corporation Limited

3CooperativesSocietyUnit

30/08/2025

Boosting coffee income and building resilient communities |

Smallholder coffee growers from the Upper and Lower Asaro LLG in Daulo District, Eastern Highlands Province, have received transformative support through the CIC PACD Daulo Commodities Component 3:1 Productive Partnership Program.

Funded by a World Bank loan and implemented by the PNG Agriculture Commercialization and Diversification (PACD) Project Management Unit (PMU) in collaboration with the Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) and the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, the initiative aims to enhance coffee production and improve incomes for rural farmers. Daulo District is home to over 53,000 people and relies heavily on coffee as a primary economic activity, with nearly half its population engaged in the sector.

To date, more than 250 smallholder farmers have received vital tools including coffee pulpers, seedlings, and farming equipment—benefiting an estimated 7,000 households.

Lead Partner Jonathan Inapelo personally delivered the materials to growers in over 10 cluster zones.

International Cooperative Alliance
Coffee Industry Corporation Limited
World Bank Pacific

29/08/2025

BNG Trading Company, one of Papua New Guinea’s oldest and most respected trading enterprises, has reaffirmed its commitment to grassroots entrepreneurship by renewing its sponsorship of the Bakery Delight Baker Mama Category Award in the Micro Business Tier of the Ela Motors SME Awards. Founded in 1924, BNG has played a pivotal role in PNG’s commercial evolution, distributing a wide range of international and local brands including Bakery Delight, Papua Niugini Freezers, Wimble & Co, and its own private label products. With a nationwide footprint and over 600 outlets served, BNG is the country’s largest supplier of bakery essentials to hotels and major bakeries.

The Bakery Delight Baker Mama Award celebrates talented home and small-scale bakers who bring tradition, creativity, and quality to PNG’s food microbusiness sector. As part of the Micro Business Tier, this category recognizes entrepreneurs operating with fewer than five employees and modest capital, yet making a significant impact in their communities. The 2025 winner will receive baking trays and high-quality ingredients to elevate their craft.

Nominations are open until September 30, 2025, and all baking enthusiasts and serial entrepreneurs are encouraged to submit their entries via the official SME Awards website https://www.pngsmeawards.org/

📸 In the photo: Theresa Breuil, from BNG Trading’s Marketing team, officially reaffirms BNG’s continued sponsorship and support for the Bakery Delight Baker Mama Category Award with Andrew Runawery, Proprietor and Executive Producer of the SME Awards.

Ela Motors PNG
SME Corporation

27/08/2025

Reposting | Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea

Building sustainable communities.

Martha Raka believes scholarships are key to Papua New Guinea’s journey towards greater self-reliance.

In 2018, Martha She completed an Short Course, Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, at the University of Sunshine Coast.

Inspired by cooperatives she visited during her studies, she established six social enterprises in Morobe Province, focused on empowering smallholder farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Martha’s story reflects the power of education and entrepreneurship to drive inclusive economic development and empower future leaders—especially women—in PNG.

For more information, visit australiaawardspng.org

27/08/2025

Guarantee-Driven Growth

As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing the Government of Papua New Guinea’s Credit Guarantee Scheme, the Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC) hosted a one-day training session in Kokopo on August 25, 2025, aimed at strengthening awareness and understanding of the program among financial institutions. The initiative reflects a strategic collaboration between CGC and the Government to empower banks and lenders with tools that reduce credit risk and unlock greater access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the country.

Attendees from seven financial institutions included officers from lending, recoveries, and relationship departments representing:

1. East New Britain Savings and Loan Society (ENBSL),
2. Kina Bank,
3. FinCorp PNG,
4. MiBank PNG,
5. TISA Bank,
6. Nambawan Savings & Loan Society Limited (NSLS), and
7. Kada Poroman Microfinance Limited (KPML).

In his opening remarks, CGC CEO Mr. Dominic Sikakau welcomed the participants and reaffirmed CGC’s commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises. He emphasized the broader economic impact of increased SME financing and the critical role financial institutions play in enabling access to credit—especially for businesses without traditional collateral—through CGC’s guarantee schemes.

The session was facilitated by CGC’s Business Operations Manager, Mr. Tony Deklin, who outlined key topics such as SME eligibility, the guarantee application process, and strategies for strengthening SME loan portfolios. He also introduced CGC’s Loan Referral Platform (LRP), a digital tool that allows financial institutions to showcase loan products online, enabling customers to browse and apply directly.

In closing, Mr. Lopa Alua of ENBSL, speaking on behalf of the participants, described the training as both insightful and practical, and praised CGC for delivering the session at the provincial level, bringing valuable knowledge closer to frontline staff.

Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC) is a strategic initiative backed by the Government of Papua New Guinea. It was established to support the country’s SME sector by providing credit guarantees to financial institutions, enabling them to extend loans to businesses that may lack sufficient collateral.

CGC plays a key role in delivering on several national development priorities, including:

- SME Policy and Vision 2050
- Medium-Term Development Plan IV
- Financial Inclusion and Green Finance Policies2

Prime Minister James Marape and the Bank of PNG have both publicly endorsed CGC’s mission, highlighting its importance in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and empowering entrepreneurs across the country.

This PNG SME Magazine photo captures Tisa Group CEO Michael Koisen and Credit Corporation CEO Dominic Sikakau standing alongside Prime Minister James Marape, engaged in a discussion on growth with Joseph Tanalau, Chairman of the Witu Island Coconut Growers Cooperative and Vice President of the National Cooperatives Secretariat. The moment was taken during the 2024 CGC-sponsored Port Moresby AgriTrade Expo, held as part of SME Week ahead of the Tisa Bank SME Business Breakfast.

Credit Guarantee Corporation PNG
SME Corporation

26/08/2025

Ginia Sialis is absolutely right. Salute to your journey thus far. Tapioca Delight

26/08/2025

Numondo Steak Haus began humbly as a small kiosk tucked inside Range View Mall, serving sizzling cuts and hearty meals that quickly won the hearts of locals. Its popularity paved the way for a second outlet at Kwalimu Haus, marking a significant milestone in its growth. The business is proudly owned by Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Mane, a visionary couple from Talasea in West New Britain.

The Manes have built Numondo into a self-sustaining enterprise, known for its consistent quality and strong local identity. The name “Numondo” itself refers to a place in Kimbe, often associated with NBPOL’s oil palm and cattle operations—though these are distinct industries, the steak haus has carved out its own niche in the region’s culinary landscape.

Beyond the grill, the Manes also helm Security Shields, a firm with deep roots in West New Britain and a growing footprint in Port Moresby.

Their entrepreneurial spirit was recognized nationally when Numondo Steak Haus received the Excellence in Food Tourism Services award at the 2023 SME Awards. This accolade was especially meaningful given the limited attention typically afforded to the tourism awards by key tourism and hospitality stakeholders at the national annual event.

Since 2019, the Prime Minister has consistently championed family-owned small businesses—attending the annual SME Business Breakfast and personally visiting local enterprises like Numondo—highlighting the crucial role SMEs play in driving employment and economic growth in Papua New Guinea.

The image captures the Prime Minister posing with the service team at the Steak Haus, including kitchen staff and food and beverage attendants.

Ela Motors PNG
SME Corporation
Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority

22/08/2025

22/08/2025

20/08/2025

PNG Strengthens Cooperative Ties During International Year of Cooperatives |

In celebration of the International Year of Cooperatives, Papua New Guinea reaffirmed its commitment to the global cooperative movement by welcoming Mr. Balasubramanian Iyer, Regional Director for Asia-Pacific of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), for a four-day official visit. The year marks a renewed global focus on the role of cooperatives in promoting inclusive economic development, social equity, and sustainable livelihoods. As a proud member of the ICA Asia-Pacific region, PNG used this occasion to spotlight its cooperative sector and strengthen international partnerships.

Mr. Iyer’s visit included high-level meetings with Secretary for Commerce and Industry, Mr. David Ganai, and National President of the National Cooperatives Secretariat, Mr. Reuben Yapi. The discussions centered on PNG’s ongoing efforts to revitalize its cooperative sector and align national policies with international cooperative principles. ICA, founded in 1895, is a global body that unites, represents, and serves cooperatives worldwide, promoting values of self-help, democracy, and solidarity. PNG’s membership in ICA reflects its dedication to these principles and its aspiration to harness cooperatives as engines of grassroots development.

Despite their potential, cooperatives in PNG face persistent challenges. Limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, and fragmented policy frameworks have hindered growth and sustainability. Many rural cooperatives struggle with capacity-building and market access, while urban migration continues to drain talent from local enterprises. These issues underscore the need for stronger institutional support and legislative reform.

Secretary Ganai reassured Mr. Iyer of PNG’s continued affiliation with ICA, emphasizing that policy alignment with existing legislation is already underway. He expressed optimism about the Marape government’s support for the sector, noting that cooperative development is central to national economic strategies. “We are committed to building a robust framework that empowers cooperatives and ensures their long-term viability,” Ganai stated.

President Reuben Yapi echoed this sentiment, applauding the government’s renewed focus. “Cooperatives’ equitable inclusion will deliver the government’s NASP Plan, curb urban drift, and create more employment,” Yapi said. He highlighted the importance of restoring efficiency and trust in the cooperative model, especially in rural communities.

To commemorate the visit, Secretary Ganai presented Mr. Iyer with a symbolic coconut basket from the Witu Coconut Growers Cooperative in West New Britain, along with premium coffee from Unen Choit Cooperative in Tewai Siasi, Morobe Province. Other showcased brands included Erap, Togoba, and PNG SolarDry—each representing the vibrant diversity of PNG’s cooperative coffee growers.

Mr. Iyer’s visit marks a pivotal moment in PNG’s cooperative journey, reinforcing its place in the global movement and setting the stage for a more inclusive and resilient economic future.

Papua New Guinea became the first country in the Pacific Region to activate awareness for the International Year of Cooperatives through the AgriTradeExpo held in Lae, supported by the Morobe Provincial Government, EU PNG STREIT Program, Farmset, Tisa Bank, and Nambawan Savings and Loans Society. Strategic Communications Managing Director Andrew Runawery, proprietor of the AgriTradeExpo, PNG SME Awards and Cooperatives Awards of Papua New Guinea, briefed ICA Regional Director and Secretary Ganaii on the upcoming Inaugural Cooperatives Awards scheduled for November, which will honour ten key sectors within Agriculture and Fisheries.

"We have given our support to Reuben's Secretariat as the first private sector SME-level business through our CSO to build its network, programs and commercial sustainability," Andrew said. "It is a pioneering establishment, and we are proud to add value as a corporate citizen."

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in strengthening cooperative enterprise and SME development across Papua New Guinea.

Mr. Runawery formally invited Mr. Balasubramanian Iyer, Regional Director for Asia-Pacific of the International Cooperative Alliance to the Awards which is scheduled for 13th November, 2025 at the Apec Haus a head of the 17th ICA Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly which will take place from 24 to 28 November 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, hosted by the National Council of Cooperatives in collaboration with SANASA Federation and other partners.

Held under the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World,” the event will feature a series of meetings including the ICA-AP Regional Board Meeting, thematic and sectoral committee sessions, a joint opening of the Regional Assembly and Cooperative Forum, board elections, and field visits. It will bring together cooperative leaders from across the region to exchange ideas, shape policy, and strengthen collaboration.

Image from Left to Rights:

International Cooperatives Alliance Regional Director Asia Pacific Mr. Balasubramanian Iyer, National Cooperatives Secretariate President Mr. Reuben Yapi, Proprietor of the AgriTradeExpo and Cooperatives Awards Andrew Runawery, Strategic Advisor to the Department of Commerce and Industry Brian Wafi and Secretary Department of Commerce and Industry Mr. David Ganaii.

International Cooperative Alliance UNDP in Papua New Guinea International Labour Organization

17/08/2025

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), under the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, has completed a targeted capacity-building initiative to strengthen institutional capabilities of the provincial government and its agencies in digital data collection and monitoring, supporting the shift from paper-based to more efficient, paperless operations.

As part of this initiative, the Programme delivered a tailored training workshop on the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) approach using the Kobo Collect solution. A total of 59 officers (including 18 women) from the regional office of the Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea, the East Sepik Provincial Division of Agriculture and Livestock, Division of Fisheries and Marine Resources, and local agrifood value chain experts took part.

Through this hands-on training, participants learned to use Kobo Collect (tool for real-time data collection, monitoring, and reporting) and skills that will enable their offices and public bodies to plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate development projects more effectively, support evidence-based decision-making, and strengthen extension service delivery to smallholder farmers in the cocoa, vanilla, and fisheries value chains.

The training also introduced participants to the newly developed nationwide Agriculture Management Information System (AMIS) and the Cocoa Board Management Information System (CBMIS). Both systems were designed and deployed by the EU-STREIT PNG Programme to support and enhance the nationwide operations of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock and the Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea, enabling integrated data management and better sector coordination.

To complement the training, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), under the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, provided 35 handheld tablets to officers from the Cocoa Board and the DAL in East Sepik Province. These devices will enable officers to apply the CAPI approach in the field, collect accurate data in real time, and upload it directly into the AMIS and CBMIS. By pairing skills development with the necessary technology, the initiative ensures that officers are fully equipped to translate their new knowledge into practice, leading to more efficient monitoring, reporting, and evidence-based decision-making processes across key agricultural value chains.

Speaking at the closing session, Dr Rabi Rasaily, FAO Senior Agricultural Officer, underscored the central role of digital tools in transforming agricultural extension services, “Digital innovations are essential for improving the efficiency and impact of agricultural services. Your commitment to learning these new tools is an important step towards building stronger, more responsive systems for Papua New Guinea’s farmers.”

Reflecting on the impact for the cocoa sector, Mr Daryll Worimo, Regional Manager for the Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea in the Sepik, noted the practical benefits for their ongoing digital transition, “This training can significantly benefit the Cocoa Board by improving the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of data collection for its Management Information System. The trained officers can now directly contribute to the CBMIS by using tablets or smartphones for real-time data collection, which reduces errors, allows for immediate validation, and provides timely information for analysis and decision-making. I would like to also express a special thanks to ITU for giving handheld tablets which will help in data collection”.

From a provincial perspective, Mr Kevin Hawan, Executive Manager of East Sepik Division of Agriculture and Livestock, expressed his appreciation for both the training and the tools provided, “The DAL officers and the agriculture sector is very fortunate and grateful of the CAPI and MIS training and the issuance of CAPI hand-held tablets to the officers for use to collect and collate information of our programs plan implementation. This training has built the officers capacity to best collect information for forward forecasting, appropriate planning to optimise the limited resources to improve on the service delivery. This training and materials will be the tool and knowledge to coordinate and monitor our operations, performance and implementation of our program plans in the province”.

The EU-STREIT PNG Programme continues to invest in institutional capacity-building and digital transformation in the country’s agrifood sector, contributing to improved livelihoods, greater gender inclusion, and sustainable rural development.