A Papua New Guinea female entrepreneur will fund the building of a garment and textile factory in the country.
Kathleen Ipi Johnson from Central Province, owner and managing director of After Dark Fashions will fund the building of the factory at Konebada Petroleum Park at a cost of K10 million.
The ground-breaking ceremony held today was witnessed by Konebada Petroleum Park Authority Board chairman Roha Kevau, Minister for Religion, Youth & Community Development Delilah Gore, and Secretary Anna Solomon.
“The total cost will be K10 million, but priority right now is the construction of the building which will cost around K2.5 million,” Johnson said.
“The factory will probably be standing after 12 months depending on the ground work, in making sure the foundation is right before the building is built.
“This is one of the biggest risks I have taken as a woman entrepreneur in our country.”
“We will be starting with a simple line of production so we have allocated 14 machines so are looking at 100 women to start (work) with.
“The factory will target the tourism and hospitality industry, sewing tea towels, table cloths, linens, meri blouses which the ladies are familiar with and in the process upskilling the workers,” Johnson said.
Minister Gore pledge K10,000 and her department support for the project.