PNG SME Magazine

10/06/2026

The Highlands Highway is one of Papua New Guinea’s most important national lifelines.

It connects 9 of PNG’s 22 provinces, serves around half of the country’s population, and supports economic activity that contributes to around half of PNG’s GDP.

Freight, fuel, food, building materials, mining support, public transport and essential goods all rely on this corridor staying open and reliable.

When this road slows down, the cost is paid by businesses, industries, families and communities.

Through the Sustainable Highlands Highway Investment Program, ADB is supporting the Government of Papua New Guinea to strengthen this critical 430km corridor.

This is not just roadwork.

It is economic protection for PNG.

05/06/2026

PNG SME Week - AgriTradeExpo Accelerates with Brian Bell Agriculture

Strategic Communications is once again at the center of Papua New Guinea’s SME growth story as the AgriTradeExpo returns for its Southern Region showcase. Established in 2020 under its PNG SME Magazine brand, the event has steadily expanded across Kimbe, Lae, and Port Moresby, and this year welcomes a major exhibitor: Brian Bell Agriculture, bringing innovative mechanized agro solutions to the forefront of rural enterprise.

A strong delegation from Alotau District will also participate, promoting the region’s diverse strengths in tourism, culture and arts, fisheries, and agriculture SMEs and cooperatives to the capital’s business community.

“This is not a public event with 10,000 people wandering around picking up brochures. It is strategic, involving decision-makers such as District Administrators, LLG Presidents, cooperative leaders, and SME business owners,” said Andrew Runawery, Managing Director of Strategic Communications, the parent company of PNG SME Week and AgriTradeExpo.

Runawery emphasized that the event is designed to leverage the Connect PNG and to expose rural entrepreneurs to viable markets. Despite challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, the AgriTradeExpo has persisted at a micro scale, gradually building momentum. The addition of Brian Bell Agriculture this year is seen as a breakthrough, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with Ishai Tamir and his team on agro-mechanization solutions.

Other notable SME exhibitors include:

- Grow Hariap, founded by Chris Tep
- Kumul Organics who is reviving the coconut oil industry in Kikori District
- Ocean Kava from Madang who is growing PNGs Kave trade
- PNG SolarDry from Lae to showcase their new branding.
- Korkane Organic Grape Farms from Eastern Highlands

The program will conclude with the Mid-Year Economic Update presented by the Asian Development Bank and the SME Business Breakfast, featuring the Prime Minister — underscoring the event’s role as a nexus for policy, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Sir Brian Bell Foundation
SME Corporation
Ela Motors PNG

03/06/2026

Scaling Grapes: How Korkarne Vineyard Multiplies Value

Stop & Shop PNG
Ela Motors PNG
SME Corporation
PNG SME Magazine

02/06/2026

🌴✨ Day Tour with Asio Freewave Bungalows ✨🌴

Today we hosted three Bougainvilleans visiting home from Port Moresby who chose to explore our beautiful islands with us.

Their adventure included Asio, Metora Sandbank, Tausina Island, and Arovo Island before returning to Asio for a relaxing light lunch.

Thank you for choosing Asio Freewave Bungalows to experience the beauty of Bougainville. We look forward to welcoming you again!

02/06/2026

Strategic Communications, publisher of the PNG SME Magazine, will host the country’s largest SME-focused event from June 24–26 under the banner of SME Week. The SME Business Breakfast, despite early criticism and scientism in 2019 has successfully run for seven years and has become a cornerstone for policy dialogue and corporate inclusion in SME development. This year marks its 8th edition.

This year's submission for policy intervention include:

1) Reduction of port berthing fees for cruise ships entering maritime provinces, aimed at boosting cruise tourism particularly Alotau and Kokopo.

2) Elevation of cruise port towns such as Kokopo and Alotau to City Authority status, enabling better urban management and tourism development.

3) Upgrading tourism bureaus into Provincial Tourism Authorities for stronger governance.

4) Modernization of the 1985 Cooperatives Act and scaling up the Cooperatives Unit under the Department of Commerce to empower rural smallholder growers.

The event invites practicing SMEs and cooperatives to submit their most pressing industry and sector challenges within the SME and cooperative development space. Submissions should highlight issues that remain unresolved by District Development Authorities, Members of Parliament, Governors, or various arms of Government.

To ensure focus and impact, each business is limited to one entry.
Click the link to submit: https://forms.gle/ekASgehKCApTfjqS7

Event host Andrew Runawery emphasized: "Cooperatives modernization must run parallel with the Connect PNG Program, which covers 80% of rural PNG—starting with Port Moresby to Alotau, Lae to Epo in Gulf, and Popondetta to Port Moresby."

He confirmed that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will present the Mid-Year Economic Update ahead of the Prime Minister’s keynote.

Exhibiting SMEs will predominantly come from Alotau, supported by their district. SMEs from Abau, Hiri Koiari, Kairuku, and Kerema Districts are encouraged to check with their local District Development Authorities for support for Cooperatives and SMEs to participate and exhibit.

The SME Week, featuring the SME Breakfast with the Prime Minister and the Ela Motors PNG SME Awards, is proudly organized by PNG SME Magazine and officially endorsed by the Government of Papua New Guinea through the SME Corporation

02/06/2026

The District of Alotau warmly invites all Milne Bay students enrolled in tertiary institutions and colleges in NCD to attend the SME Week – Investment Forum & Maverick Millionaire Session on Wednesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 25.

Hon. Ricky Morris, MP for Alotau, emphasized the importance of investing in tomorrow’s leaders across business and professional services such as education, law, medicine, engineering, architecture, and accounting. To support this vision, the district has fully subsidized participation costs for students from the University of Papua New Guinea, Pacific Adventist University, IBS University, Port Moresby Business College, POM Tech and Students currently doing other Certificate and Diploma Programs at other intuitions. This includes FODE Students with Alotau or greater Milne Bay family lineage residing in NCD.

"Not everyone will find work, therefore, we need to inspire entrepreneurship. The Investment Forum will show where the District is heading in tourism, agriculture, and fisheries. Thursday will be even more impactful, as students will connect with Maverick Millionaires—hearing how they built million-kina businesses from scratch and now employ more Papua New Guineans. This experience will change your perspective on life." Morris said.

"Politicians won’t create jobs—entrepreneurs will. Our role is to set policies that guide infrastructure and other enablers."

The Maverick Millionaire Series promises highly engaging local millionaire content and will conclude with Reset PNG@50, led by Charles Abel.

The district sponsorship extends to all Milne Bay students, who are encouraged to bring their friends along.

👉 Click the link to register and secure your experience.
https://forms.gle/cunaoimfnM8f2zx16

01/06/2026

PNG SME Magazine proudly acknowledges Wia Trade 'Erap Coffee' as the Official Breakfast Coffee SME Partner for the upcoming 2026 8th Annual Mid-Year Economic Update SME Business Breakfast with the Prime Minister.

We recognize the importance of Small to Medium Businesses like Wia Trade whose partnership strengthens the platform for meaningful engagement between government, business leaders, and entrepreneurs.


Ela Motors PNG

01/06/2026

PNG SME Magazine proudly acknowledges Alotau Waterfront Lodge as the Official Hospitality SME Partner for the upcoming 2026 8th Annual Mid-Year Economic Update SME Business Breakfast with the Prime Minister.

We recognize the importance of Small to Medium Businesses like Alotau Waterfront Lodge whose partnership strengthens the platform for meaningful engagement between government, business leaders, and entrepreneurs.

27/05/2026

Under the leadership of Hon. Ricky Morris, the Alotau District Development Authority (ADDA) has intensified its support for SMEs and cooperatives, ensuring strong participation in the upcoming 2026 National SME Week Business Conference and Trade Fair.

Alotau-based SMEs in tourism, agriculture, and fisheries will have their delegate fees and exhibitor costs covered entirely by the district. This initiative, categorized under Market Access, positions Alotau in showcasing its:

- Cocoa Champions
- Top Tourism Operators and tour sites
- Cultural Promotions
- Boat Builders
- Fisheries Enterprises

Daily attendance fees for fully operational SMEs have been waived, granting access to high-value programs such as:

- Maverick Millionaire Encounter — where SMEs will learn directly from PNG’s high-net-worth entrepreneurs who began as micro start-ups.

- Alotau Investment Forum — focused on revenue growth and scaling strategies.

Alotau District leads in attendance, followed by Central Province, with single entry SMEs representing Cloudy Bay, Abau District, Rigo District, Hiri Kairuku, and Kikori.

Hon. Ricky Morris emphasized that this support will strategically position Alotau SMEs for success at the 2026 Ela Motors PNG SME Awards, to be launched during the week.

The event has attracted strong interest from MiBank PNG and the Credit Guarantee Corporation PNG affirming their attendance. Additionally, the National Cultural Commission, led by CEO Steven Kilanda, has pledged support for the National Kenu and Kundu Festival.

SMEs from other provinces are encouraged to liaise with their district offices to explore participation opportunities. Alotau-based SMEs can proceed with registration via the official online link.

https://forms.gle/uAG856bsrxxdQaBRA

26/05/2026