PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill launches ANZ Bank MoneyMinded SME Workshops

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O’Neill CMG MP, has welcomed the ANZ Bank’s MoneyMinded SME Business Basics Workshops in Papua New Guinea.

In launching the program today with senior Executives from the ANZ Bank, the Prime Minister said he hoped thousands of Papua New Guineans would benefit form the skills and knowledge they would gain from the workshops.

“Small business plays an essential role in our economy, and in our communities as both an employer and provider of services that big businesses often cannot deliver,” Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said.

“However, across the region it is reported that only 20 percent of new small businesses survive for more than five years. “Government and business must work together to ensure small businesses thrive and prosper. “When small businesses are successful they employ more people and increase the prosperity of their local areas.

“Papua New Guineans are great entrepreneurs. Our people are ingenious and develop with creative business ideas, but often do not have access to the financial and business skills training they need. “Programs like the MoneyMinded SME Business Basics Workshops will help our entrepreneurs better understand financial issues that are vital for their success.

“I urge aspiring small business owners to become involved in this ANZ program to better learn how to develop a business plan, manage cash flow and meet your tax and legal obligations. “I congratulate the ANZ Bank for this initiative and making a positive contribution to small business in Papua New Guinea. “We look forward to this program expanding and helping to increase the number of successful SMEs in our country.”

The ANZ Bank’s MoneyMinded financial literacy program has been helping people build their financial skills, knowledge and confidence across the Pacific since 2010. Attending the launch today with the Prime Minister was Mr Andrew Géczy ANZ CEO International & Institutional Banking, Mr Farhan Faruqui, ANZ CEO for International Banking, Mr Mark Baker ANZ PNG Managing Director, and Mr Vishnu Mohan ANZ CEO Pacific and CEO Fiji.