Meeting participants listening attentively  

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is currently reviewing some of its key policy documents to increase the competency of the organization to participate actively to benefit economically and politically on the global arena.

A consultative meeting was on the 29^th to 30^th on July 2013, at Crown Plaza hotel in Port Moresby to grasp industry view on the key policy matters in view of increasing onshore investment. The meeting was well represented by key players in the fisheries industry and other relevant stake holders.

The managing director of NFA, Mr. Sylvester Pokajam his opening remarks gave an overview of the current industry status, policy development, investment trends and domestics focus.

“We are in the process of reviewing two key policy documents and they are one, the Tuna Development Management Plan and Fisheries Act”.

For the industry be competitive on the global arena, it requires competent people to create workable solutions. It is critical to review such policies to create a convergent point at the national, regional and global front.

Mr Pokajam said the review of the policies will ensure equal and effective participation and of PNG in the global market. The bottom line is to have policies that empower not just the industry players but also the ordinary Papua New Guineans to continue to sustainably harvest enough from their waters and to economically participate where applicable.

The policy review takes into consideration both the major and minor players in the fisheries industry in PNG as well as other relevant stake holders. Failing to do is believed to causes detrimental environmental, economical and political consequences.

Of the key issues address, Fisheries Management Policy (FMP) was frequently brought to light indicating its prominence. The FMP is a document that contain rules that safe guard managements and development of fisheries by ensuring sustainable and profitable operations for current and future generations.

Presentations covered current status of the industry as collectively viewed by major players and relevant stakeholders. Major developmental strategies and challenges were discussed and recommendations were made.

Minister Maru Reveals Alarming Statistics on Graduate Unemployment Status in PNG

Minister Maru speaking during the SME awards night

The Minister for Trade and Industry, Honourable Richard Maru revealed an alarming statistics on unemployment especially the young graduates from colleges. Minister Maru revealed that about 66% of the young graduates that live colleges in PNG have no jobs which he strongly stressed is unacceptable for a country richly blessed with natural resources.

The Minister revealed the statistics during the first Small Medium Enterprise Leadership Awards held in Port Moresby on the 30^th of July this year.

The Inaugural awards nights hosted by International Banking and Business Management (IBBM) recognises PNG business and landowner companies that made significant achievement in variety of areas in business. The assessment was based on the eight global best business practices: governance and organization, business management, finance management, human resource management, asset and inventory control, safety, health and environment, quality control and reputation and image.

Minister Maru’s revelations come as surprise in a time when PNG is has been enjoying a consistent economic growth over the last 9 years due to high commodity prices, particularly the mineral sector that experience record high growth over the years.

The growth of the economy is not trouble free as it is also accompanied by a booming population and uncontrollable rural to urban migration.  The risk of exhausting the mineral and liquefied gas reserves is highly likely if PNG do not take drastic measures to control its population boom.

The O’Neil Dion Government which Mr. Maru described as responsible government has taken way forward steps to build a sustainable economy by creating an economic stimulus package that is anticipated to reduce the interest rate of SME loans from National Development Bank from 15% to 6.5%. The recapitalization of eighty million kina was well publicized in media.

Quick action is required to arrest these employment crises as it possesses greater threat to the economy of the country.

PNG being a strong culture based society, with deeply embedded beliefs and values in traditional way of thinking and living, possess yet another challenge to the leaders to create a harmonious society where the citizens live in freely with fear and intimidation and to equally participate in economic activities. 

ITI granted provisional higher education status

By Ian D. Hetri 

The international training institute was finally granted provisional status which was announced in a small but significant ceremony held at the ITI campus in Port Moresby yesterday. ITI is the second institution to be granted the provisional status after International Business Institute.

During the announcement, Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Honourable David Arore praised the O’Neil Dion Government for investing into education for its citizens.

O’Neil Dion Government has recognised the critical issue of providing for school leavers and non-school leavers in PNG. The ministry for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, under the National Governments Public Private Partnerships (PPP) Policy envisages cohering with potential Private Education Providers to give second chance to school leavers.

The ministry for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, through Office of Higher Education (OHE) is satisfied that the ITI has met most of all requirements for full accreditation and declaration as permanent Private Higher Education Service Provider in PNG.

ITI will now operate on a “Provisional Higher Education Status” until Commission of Higher education formally declares its permanent status.

The Managing Director for ITI Mr. Sentheyval Kumaran expressed appreciation for the continuous support given by the government and other private sectors and urged them to continue to support ITI to educate more Papua New Guineans to international standards and qualifications.