Westpac PNG continues to upskill and empower PNG’s female entrepreneurs with money management skills, helping families to recover from the pandemic.
Women in Gerehu, Boroko and Vadavada have in the past few weeks put up their hands to attend a session hosted by Westpac’s team, learning savings and budgeting tips to enhance their financial management and business skills, with the aim of preparing them for business growth.
Cathy and Lian Akori are sisters who attended the training together with women in Boroko.
They are actively involved in informal markets selling snacks, meri blouses and bilums under a gazebo along the streets near Bava Park.
“This training has helped me to identify the needs and wants and be able to save what can be saved and not to use all money at once,” said Ms Akori.
Westpac PNG Chief Executive Brett Hooker said the training aimed to bolster the micro small and medium business sector, which has the potential to boost family income and the economy overall.
“We see many female entrepreneurs coming to the bank who right now operate with cash, but want to learn how to prepare for the commercial bank accounts and loans that will allow their businesses to grow from micro to small, small to medium size, and beyond,” said Mr Hooker.
“With growth comes jobs and with jobs comes financial stability for families – so we want to do what we can to instill sound money management principles so women are supported right throughout their business journey.