Australia has partnered with Women’s Micro Bank Limited (WMBL) to support PNG’s agriculture SMEs, by providing loans through the Revolving Fund Facility funded by the Australian Government.
Attendees at the recent Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC) Agri Trade Expo in Port Moresby heard that these loans were providing opportunities for business expansion and stronger supply chains.
The Revolving Fund is an K8 million investment by the Australian government and managed by WMBL creating an affordable credit facility designed to provide short-term loans to exporters, SMEs and women-owned and women-led SMEs.
Coffee exporter, Kosem Ltd in Jiwaka, shared their experience as recipients, having taken out two Revolving Fund business loans through WMBL. Kosem CEO Mark Munnul Jr explained what this meant for the business and the coffee farmers they source from.
“It’s hard for businesses in the agriculture space to grow.”
“We survive, but to grow, we need money.”
“Fortunately, Australia, through Mama Bank, was able to assist us and give us the Revolving Fund loan and we were able to expand into Wau, and we were able to get coffee from the farmers in Wau.”
Kosem Ltd sourced coffee from more than 8,500 farmers in Wau in the most recent coffee season with its second Revolving Fund loan.
This shows that when access to finance is provided to one business, economic opportunities and market connections can be created for many.
The loan was made possible by Australian Government’s investment of AUSD3.3 million to establish the Revolving Fund Facility, which provides affordable credit to PNG agribusinesses
More information about the Revolving Fund can be retrieved by contacting Women’s Micro Bank: +675 7091 0900 or info@womenmicrobank.com.