Benitta Napitalai, Founder of Qweens Collection, is on a mission to preserve the traditional skill of bilum-making while empowering women and men from rural communities to earn a livelihood. With the support of Business Link Pacific (BLP), her business has now grown from a grassroots initiative into a thriving e-commerce platform connecting Papua New Guinea’s cultural heritage with the global market.

Speaking at the BLP Advisory Meeting in Port Moresby, Ms Napitalai shared the inspiring journey of Qweens Collection, which officially launched in 2022. “We began as a small initiative to market bilums, primarily from Goroka and rural areas,” she said. “Over time, we connected local weavers to national and international markets.”
The turning point came in 2023, when Ms Napitalai partnered with SNS Technology to establish a website that would enhance Qweens Collection’s brand presence and market reach. Through this collaboration, she was introduced to the BLP programme, which provided funding and support for website development, including an integrated e-commerce system.

“BLP helped us go beyond just having a website,” she explained. “They helped us build a platform where customers can browse and purchase directly online. This has not only brought credibility to our brand but has also increased our customer base, especially from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.”

Ms Napitalai expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the support. “On behalf of Qweens and the community—mostly women from the Eastern Highlands and my home—we are very thankful. This opportunity has not only given us an online presence but has empowered more women.”

With global interest growing, Qweens Collection stands as a proud example of tradition, innovation, and impact driven by purpose and powered by partnership.

Image Caption: Benitta  Napitalai.