PNGNRI to Launch Three Discussion Papers at PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment
The Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE) will host the team from Papua New Guinea National Research Institute (PNG NRI) to launch three of its Discussion Papers (NRI Discussion Paper No. 204, NRI Discussion Paper No. 205 and NRI Discussion Paper No. 206). The Papers focus on the financial barrier that women face in the SME sector; the value chain of the cocoa industry in PNG; and the situation of basic education in East New Britain Province and AROB.
- NRI Discussion Paper No.204 titled: Access to Finance as a potential barrier to Women’s Progress in the SME Sector in Papua New Guinea authored by John Akoten and Associate Professorial Research Fellow Dr Francis Odhuno highlights the challenges that women-owned or women-managed SMEs face in accessing loans from financial institutions in PNG. The Paper provides some measures to be considered to enhance the support for women-owned and managed SMEs in the country.
- NRI Discussion Paper No.205 titled: Value Chain Analysis for the PNG Cocoa Industry by Professor Satish Chand, James Rooney, and NRI Research Fellow Ronald Sofe reported that stakeholders in the PNG cocoa value chain are not making much profit, and smallholder growers who produce the cocoa are unable to substantially increase their personal and household wealth. Cocoa growers can get more profit if quality control in the processing of cocoa beans is improved.
- NRI Discussion Paper No.206 titled: Understanding the situations of basic education in Autonomous Region of Bougainville and East New Britain, Papua New Guinea by NRI Research Fellow Jeremy Goro highlights the quality of basic education and how students can achieve their full potential through developing desirable attributes and skills. It recommends that it is important to develop an effective Tuition Free Fee (TFF) management system to ensure that TFF funds reach schools on time.
Authorised for release by:
Dr. Osborne Sanida
PNG NRI Director
