Papua New Guinean social entrepreneur Shallyn Lomutopa, from Eastern Highlands Province, is the winner of the “Best Social Impact” category of the APEC Business Efficiency & Success Target Award for 2018.
Lomutopa is the owner of “Women’s Ginipa Coffee”.
She was one of four PNG women entrepreneur nominated for the Russian Awards, and was awarded during the recent APEC Women in the Economy Forum Meeting.
Lomutopa was awarded for her business’ social responsibility initiative in capacity building training provided for farmers in her community.
She was one out of four PNG women-owned MSME’s who contested with nominees from the 20 other economies in the APEC region.
Secretary for Department of Youth, Religion and Community Development, Anna Solomon, lauded Russia for the initiative that not only recognises outstanding women entrepreneurs in the region but inspire the younger generation of women and girls.
She said the possibilities of business are limitless and commended the awardees and nominees for recognising their challenges, breaking these barriers and providing for their family and at the same time contribute to the development of their respective economies.
Meantime, the other awardees included Special Prize Category to Dominique Viera from Chile, owner of Metaproject Innovation, an integral engineering services company that covers work areas in mining and construction.
In the 4th Industrial Revolution Project Category is Lyudmila Scherbakova from Russia, owner of high-tech pharmaceutical company, Velpharm, which managed to produce 40 brands in less than three years.
International Attractiveness Category; Julie Sutrisno from Indonesia, owner of bond-weaving fashion brand LeVico.
Most Innovative Business Model Category; Zarah Jane Juan from the Philippines, owner of Green Leaf Eco Bag that produces environmental-friendly shopping bags for local markets and for renown international fashion brands/labels.
Highest Growth Potential Category; Tomomi Iwakiri from Japan, owner of Narumi that produces safe processed food using the traditional ingredients.
The overall winner for the 2018 APEC BEST Award was Republic of Korea’s Miran Kim, owner of Shimpyo & Neukkimpyo, a consulting company that focuses on facilitating professional and career women’s re-employment after taking extended time off due to marriage and childbirth.
APEC Best Awards is a contest for women-entrepreneurs across the APEC region that raises women’s awareness on benefits of self-employment and help women-entrepreneurs to internationalise their businesses, attract international partners and potential investors from the APEC economies.
(Shallyn Lomutopa with her award)