One stop shop needed for SME registration

All provinces and districts must have a one stop shop to facilitate the registration of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Consulting guru, Ernie Gangloff, says the registration of SMEs in rural PNG is impeded by the lack of a coordinated registration platform.

Gangloff, who represents the SME Business Council, said this when speaking to Members of Parliament during the National Parliament Induction Programme last week.

He said SMEs covered every business sector and industry and a standard framework on registration was needed.

“Right now there is no formal registration apart from what’s with IPA. What we need to have within the district is a list of who is actually in the district, what SME are out there.

“The other is in terms of your own districts we also need a standard framework on how SMEs are registered, the regulatory reforms the process of getting registered,” said Gangloff.

“Right now, IPA is in Moresby, and nowhere else. IRC has promised us district offices throughout the country. But every district in every province has a department of commerce.

“What we need to do is link those provincial offices with the national departments. We need to be able to get a one stop shop.”

Gangloff said another impediment was the cost of internet, which SMEs could use to promote their services and products on a global level.

Author: 
Cedric Patjole