Digicel announces its support for the PNG Women in Business Expo

Wednesday, 20th May, 2015 – Port Moresby: Digicel PNG today announced its support of K180,000 for the upcoming PNG Women in Business (WiB) Expo from 2nd - 12th July.

This announcement was made in the presence of members of professional women business associations, members of the Women in Business and the media during a press conference today at the Holiday Inn, Port Moresby.

Digicel’s support consisted of cash valued at K50,000 and in-kind support valued at over K130,000. Digicel will provide mobile closed user group (CUG) services for the WiB Expo organising committee and a toll free number where the public can call up to get the necessary information on the upcoming Expo. Some of the basic information that will be provided through this toll free info line will include; how to register to be a part of the event and where to purchase tickets. The toll free line will be managed by PNG WiB.

“Digicel plays an important role in transforming our modern PNG society, enabling access to information and communication and its commitment to recognise the work of PNG WiB is a partnership in the right direction’’, said Executive Director of PNG Women in Business (WiB), Janet Sape.  

Mrs Sape said the Expo would showcase PNG Women’s products and services to PNG and to the wider Pacific neighbours to foster business relations and the exchange of business ideas. It is also an avenue to recognise the importance of exposing our Women to the Pacific and the world, during the Pacific Games.

She added that the PNG WiB Expo is aimed at showcasing goods and services and entrepreneurship among women. There will be fun-filled activities, arts and crafts, and displays of professional services produced by PNG Women. She encouraged all NCD residences to support the event and the greater cause of women empowerment in PNG.

She also invited civil societies, private sector organisations and others supporting women’s empowerment in PNG to participate and showcase their services to the public.

Digicel PNG’s Head of Consumer-Khattar Fehmi commended Janet Sape for the vision and drive to help empower and promote PNG women through this organisation as well as implementing initiatives to help empower these women through business.  

“Empowering women for economic independence is a key driver for poverty alleviation and improved socio-economic outcomes for families and the country as a whole”, said Fehmi.

 “As a business we believe that helping women to engage in business and economic activity build stronger families and communities and contribute to sustainable economic growth.’’

“We are doing our part through our corporate social responsibility to ensure that as Digicel grows, our communities grow as well and women play an important role in nation building when they are welcomed, included and engaged in business. For us, the support we are pledging today is more than just finance, it is a long-term relationship we are fostering with the women of PNG, especially those in the informal sector through the PNG Women in Business,” Fehmi added.

The Digicel PNG Women in Business Expo is scheduled to start by the 2nd of July through to July 12th at the Melanesian Cultural Festival Village at Waigani, Port Moresby, and will coincide with the 2015 Pacific Games.

This Expo will be the second such event after PNG WiB’s successful inaugural Expo in Lae in 2010.  

Background: PNG Women in Business is the peak body advocating for economic empowerment for women to help build business and community leaders. Mrs Janet Sape is the Founding Director of the Papua New Guinea Women in Business (PNG WiB).