The New Ireland Provincial Government is launching its largest-ever Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) support program, driven by a new political partnership between Governor Byron Chan and Kavieng MP and Treasurer, Ian Ling Stuckey.
The massive economic rollout combines direct goods assistance with banking investments to financially empower nearly 5,000 women across the province.
Announcing the initiative just three months after officially taking office, Governor Byron Chan emphasized that the collaboration between his People’s Progress Party (PPP) and the Pangu Pati represents a united mandate for New Ireland.
"This is a PPP-Pangu partnership and must be encouraged in order for development to happen," Governor Chan stated.
He praised Treasurer Ian Ling Stuckey for leading the way with local projects, noting that the Governor’s office is now building upon that momentum.
Despite spending his first three months in office dealing with ongoing election disputes in court, Governor Chan stressed that his administration is determined to deliver major projects quickly.
The initiative targets mothers and women across New Ireland, reaching from Kavieng Urban to the remote communities of Lambom and Laskona in Namatanai, as well as New Hanover and the Mussau Islands.
The financial and material support structure includes, Direct Goods Assistance, 1,420 mothers across 124 wards will receive K900 worth of starting goods over the next two weeks.
The New Ireland Provincial Government has backed the Mama Bank with a K1.5 million financial guarantees, following the recent launch of the New Ireland Mama Bank where 3,000 women will benefit from a dedicated financial drive.
Furthermore, Governor Chan pledged K1 million annually for the next five years to help local women open bank accounts and grow their investments.
In addition to the SME and banking programs, Governor Chan announced a K5 million allocation to distribute 2,000 corrugated roofing iron sheets across the province over the next two months. This housing initiative will run alongside and complement ongoing projects managed by MP Stuckey.
The government's long-term goal is to expand the financial rollout so that eventually, every family in New Ireland can hold an active bank account.
Pics: Initial kick starting of Governor Chan’s SME program for wards 1, 3 & 6 in Kavieng Urban LLG signaling start of the province wide roll out.
