PNG Women Turn Classroom Skills Into Businesses

PNG Women Turn Classroom Skills Into Businesses

PNG's young entrepreneurs are getting an opportunity to test their business skills in the marketplace, with three final-year ITI students now operating their own ventures at Unity Mall in Port Moresby.
Sharlyn Bae, Magdaline Dapal and Mavis Omoa were selected from seven students who took part in interviews for an SME business on-the-job training programme developed through cooperation between ITI, Mama Bank and SMEC.
The three students will continue their studies while managing their respective enterprises.

Bae, who is studying for a Diploma in Business Accounting, owns Liijay Sweets, producing cakes and pastries.
Marketing Management student Dapal operates Maravut Sales, which specialises in arts and crafts, while Omoa, another Business Accounting student, runs Mavuai Collection.

ITI Chairman and Co-Founder Senthil Kumaran Sentheyval said the project was developed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical business experience.
The concept came from ITI's regular student pop-up markets, held every two months as a platform for students to sell their products and learn how customers respond to their businesses.
Mr Kumaran said the partnership with Mama Bank and SMEC would give participants access to business training and financial support.
He said ITI wanted the students to build enough experience and cash flow to eventually operate independently.
The initiative will also be extended to other students in future groups.
“If you give them the initial push, if they start having their cash flow, then they can rent their own space in the future and run their own businesses,” he said.

Mama Bank CEO Gunanidhi Das said the financial institution welcomed the chance to assist young women entering the SME sector.
He said the bank's support would include financial literacy, savings and loan facilities under its existing agreement with ITI.
According to Mr Das, the students could start with modest borrowing and gradually qualify for increased financing by establishing savings and a sound credit history.

He also reminded the entrepreneurs that careful financial management would be essential, including separating household funds from business earnings and reinvesting some profits.
SMEC Special Project Advisor Edward Kepa said the students had already received entrepreneurship training from the organisation in July.

The training was delivered under an internationally recognised programme focused on developing entrepreneurs and people capable of creating employment.
Mr Kepa said SMEC would remain involved by offering additional guidance as the students progressed.
Unity Supermarket Limited executive chairman Eric Haiara said the students should concentrate on maintaining reliable standards in their products, prices and trading hours.

He said customers needed consistency and that Unity Mall's approximately 100 small businesses offered an environment where new entrepreneurs could learn and grow.
The three businesses are being provided with space at the mall at a reduced rental rate. From the normal monthly charge of about K7,000, a 20 per cent reduction brings the cost down to K5,600, which ITI management will cover.

The students will balance their business commitments with their academic timetable. Their classes are scheduled for Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, leaving other days for business operations.
Family members will also assist with sales when the students are attending classes.

The programme is aimed at giving PNG students a pathway into entrepreneurship rather than having to depend solely on formal employment once they complete their studies.

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