Story from:
10 Jul 2023
ISEZ has officially partnered with SME Corporation today to work together and develop SME activities in Ihu and Kikori District.
After previous meetings that didn’t eventuate last year, Ihu Special Economic Zone has now signed a MOU with SME Corporation.
Peter Kengemar, Managing Director of Ihu Special Economic Zone said, “Our partnership with SME Corporation is very important because we want to work together to plan how we want to run the SME programs in Kikori District.”
“We’ve already carried out some SME programs that the locals were engaged in, which they are currently doing SME activities on the ground. We’re also in discussions with potential Partners who can fast track some of the programs that we are running. With SME Corporation partnering with us, it will be a boost for this programs, says Mr. Kengemar”
Managing Director of SME Corporation, Petrus Ralda, stated that, “SME Corporation is happy to work and support all the wards in Kikori district, and also help the people to participate in the opportunities brought in by the gas projects and also the ISEZ project.”
Mr. Ralda noted, “A lot of lessons should be learnt from the other projects, such as the LNG projects, mining projects, cocoa projects etc... around the country that landowners have missed out on very important benefits from their own lands and this is an issue that should be carefully looked into and avoid going forward, he added”
Kikori District Development Authority (KDDA) District Administrator, Tars Sauka, expressly stated, “The province has always been underdeveloped and isolated, so I am happy that ISEZ is doing this project, because they are exposing Gulf province to the world and attracting Partners and Investors to develop the province.”
Mr. Kengemar further noted that, “During this second phase of our project we realise that engaging with the land owners is very important. Getting them on board and making them understand the project is very important, and one of things we can do to help them understand and get them involved instantly is by doing SME activities.
“Kikori has about 22% of the country’s forestry, 14 of the 16 major river systems flows down through Kikori basin, large quantity of oil and gas resource is in the land as well, so the province is blessed with many resources, says Mr. Kengemar”
Mr. Kengemar stated, “We believe that the current SME programs and activities will be developed with SME Corporation being part of this development going forward.”