Coinciding with International MSME Day, the inaugural Business Link Pacific (BLP) Advisory Panel Meeting was held on Monday 30th June, bringing together key stakeholders, financial institutions, development partners, and SME owners to recognize BLP’s role in advancing small and medium-sized enterprises in Papua New Guinea.
Speakers at the meeting highlighted the important role of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Papua New Guinea’s economic growth and the contribution of the New Zealand-funded programme, BLP, in supporting MSME development.
His Excellency Peter Zwart, New Zealand High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, delivered opening remarks describing the SME sector as a cornerstone for inclusive and broad based economic development. He emphasized that while large-scale resource extraction and public sector activities were important, it was SME that offered greatest potential to grow employment and opportunity for the majority of Papua New Guineans.
“SMEs are essential for achieving national economic goals, connecting rural communities to markets and providing viable livelihoods for women, youth and those traditionally excluded from formal employment.”
He commended BLP’s integrated approach to business advisory and financial services, encouraged continued ambition and adaptability.
Acting Executive Director of the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI), Mr. Peter Samuel, delivered the closing remarks, highlighting BLP as a uniquely practical and operational model that bridges a major gap in the government’s support mechanisms for SMEs. He acknowledged that although CEFI’s traditional focus is not SME development, the success stories shared during the meeting offered a compelling case to expand their mandate.
“The journey of Richard, who turned a roadside hobby into a top-tier restaurant, demonstrates the kind of passion, perseverance, and structural support our SMEs need,” he said. Mr Samuel stressed the need for future sessions to include both success stories and those still struggling, stating that learning from both triumph and hardship would better inform policy and practice. He also encouraged financial institutions to reflect more deeply on their relationship with SME clients and their unique challenges.
The meeting also featured a testimony sharing session, where four local SME owners shared how BLP had positively impacted their businesses.
Mrs. Kopi Like-Grammon, owner of KLG & Co. Business Consultants, shared her journey as a Business Advisor since 2019. “Through BLP, I’ve supported many businesses to formalize helping them register, set up bookkeeping systems, and transition to cloud accounting,” she explained. “We’ve worked closely with institutions like CEFI and banks to ensure our clients are compliant and loan-ready. Patience and compliance are key for long-term success.”
Mr Richard Mark, founder of Abus Na Kumu, shared how a BLP grant transformed his food venture. “With close to half a million kina in BLP grant funding (used as loan equity), we went from selling food by the roadside to building one of PNG’s leading catering businesses,” he said. “BLP trusted and believed in us. Their support connected us with financial and accounting experts, and helped build a resilient and sustainable foundation.”
Mr Billy Gawi, a wood carver and designer, recounted how a K30, 000 loan from Women’s Micro Bank, facilitated through BLP funding, kept his small business afloat. “I now employ 36 young people from Port Moresby in places like Eight Mile and Kuriva. Our carvings are sold at Boroko Market and even government departments,” he said. “More than just business, we train unemployed youth, paying their wages and school fees.”
Ms. Benitta Napitalai, owner of Qweens Collection, described how BLP’s subsidy supported her bilum-making enterprise. “Our business needed an online platform to reach more markets. With BLP’s subsidy, we worked with SNS Technology to build an integrated e-commerce website. Now, we’ve attracted customers from Australia and New Zealand, creating income for women in the Eastern Highlands,” she shared.
Mr. Richard Busby, BLP’s Senior SME Banking Specialist, provided an update on BLP’s progress and future plans. He acknowledged BLP’s strong collaboration with its two key banking partners in Papua New Guinea, their instrumental role in delivering concessional and wholesale capital loan programmes to SMEs.
“We’ve seen the successful rollout of several SME loans and the upcoming launch of two new energy finance products,” he said. “These initiatives, including green and renewable energy financing, reflect BLP’s goal to unlock access to finance.”
Mr Busby also praised the in-country BLP team for their coordination and outreach, particularly in regions such as the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
From the banking sector, Mr Wong Khar Fye, General Manager for SME & Specialized Lending at Kina Bank, outlined Kina’s partnership with BLP, which began in 2021. “As a bank that started small, we understand the struggles of SMEs. Our partnership with BLP allowed us to refer clients to BLP advisors when they weren’t ready for a loan, giving them a chance to come back stronger,” he said.
Mr Fye announced that Kina Bank had supported nearly 30 SMEs with K3 million in lending and unveiled two upcoming products SME Green and SME Every Business Loan which will align with BLP’s concessional lending framework.
Also addressing the gathering was Mr. Prabhash Ranjan from Women’s Micro Bank, who highlighted the bank’s focus on women entrepreneurs, who make up 80% of their 130,000-strong customer base. “Our partnership with BLP enables us to do more than offer loans. We support clients with business advisory services, capacity building, and financial literacy,” he stated. “From catering to tourism, retail to renewable energy, the collaboration has helped businesses across PNG. We encourage SMEs to continue innovating and engaging with us.”
The meeting also featured presentations by Smitha Shanberg, BLP’s Business & Stakeholder Manager, and Gabriel Iso, Lae-based BLP Business Services Manager, who provided updates on ongoing regional outreach and capacity-building efforts across the regions.
Ends.
For further information on the work of CEFI please contact CEFI Communications Team: +675 3225300, email: lomaro@thecefi.org or visit www.thecefi.org
Image Captions:
Image 1:
His Excellency Peter Zwart, New Zealand High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, delivering his opening remarks at the BLP Advisory Panel Meeting.
Image 2:
Mr Peter Samuel, Acting Executive Director of the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI), delivering the closing remarks.
Image 3:
(From left to right) Ms. Bolalava Vaia, His Excellency Peter Zwart, New Zealand High Commissioner, and Mr Peter Samuel, Acting Executive Director of CEFI, cutting the cake to commemorate MSME Day.
Image 4:
Mr Peter Samuel (seated second from left), Acting Executive Director of CEFI, and His Excellency Peter Zwart (seated fourth from left), New Zealand High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, pictured with key stakeholders, financial institutions, development partners, SME owners, and officers from BLP and CEFI during the meeting.
Image 5:
Mr Gabriel Iso, Lae-based BLP Business Services Manager, providing updates on ongoing regional outreach and capacity-building efforts.
Image 6:
Mr Gabriel Iso, Lae-based BLP Business Services Manager, presenting on regional outreach and capacity-building initiatives.
Image 7:
Mr Wong Khar Fye, General Manager for SME & Specialised Lending at Kina Bank, outlining Kina’s partnership with BLP.
Image 8:
Mr Wong Khar Fye, General Manager for SME & Specialised Lending at Kina Bank, highlighting the bank’s ongoing collaboration with BLP.
Image 9:
Mr Prabhash Ranjan from Women’s Micro Bank highlighting the bank’s commitment to women entrepreneurs, who comprise 80% of its 130,000-strong customer base.
Image 10:
Mr Prabhash Ranjan from Women’s Micro Bank discussing the bank’s focus on supporting women-led enterprises.
Image 11:
Mrs Kopi Like-Grammon, owner of KLG & Co. Business Consultants, sharing her journey as a Business Advisor since 2019.
Image 12:
Mr Richard Mark, founder of Abus Na Kumu, explaining how a BLP grant transformed his catering and food delivery business.
Image 13:
Mr Billy Gawi, a wood carver and designer, recounting how a K30,000 loan from Women’s Micro Bank—facilitated through BLP funding—helped sustain his small business.
Image 14:
Ms Benitta Napitalai, owner of Qweens Collection, sharing how BLP’s subsidy supported her bilum-making enterprise.
Image 15:
Mr Peter Samuel, Acting Executive Director of CEFI, meeting Mrs Lucy Wabi, Founder and Managing Director of Mama’s Hardware.
Image 16:
Attendees engaged during the BLP Advisory Panel Meeting.
Image 17:
Participants of the BLP Advisory Panel Meeting in discussion.
Image 18:
A cross-section of stakeholders attending the BLP Advisory Panel Meeting.
Image 19:
Key participants interacting during the BLP Advisory Panel Meeting.
Image 20:
Group discussion underway during the BLP Advisory Panel Meeting.
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.
