ME Corporation’s primary development mandate is to foster the growth of MSMEs
across all sectors and industries in PNG. This includes the cottage industries, small-scale manufacturing, and the adoption of appropriate technologies along with the transfer of technical skills amongst others. SME Corporation provides technical and, to a limited extent, financial support to individuals or communities engaging in MSME activities that show higher potential to diversify the country’s economic base. These endeavours aim to establish pioneering industries capable of sustaining and bolstering PNG’s economy in the years ahead. Furthermore, such industries have the potential to promote domestic production and decrease our dependency on imports. In 2023, SME Corporation received a training request from a distinctive farming community in Koltom, Western Highlands. This group of farmers embarked on trial ventures to cultivate rice and wheat
on their farms. Managing Director, Mr. Petrus Ralda, who presided over the farmers’ graduation ceremony, was impressed by the community’s initiative in engaging in this niche and high-risk MSME activity. He pledged SME Corporation’s support by procuring and donating two electric rice and wheat milling machines to the community. In July 2023, Managing Director Mr. Petrus Ralda personally flew to Mt. Hagen to deliver the equipment to the community on behalf of SME Corporation.