A month-long Joint Agency Spot Check Operation (JASCO) to check business houses in East New Britain province concluded as of last week Friday the 10th of May 2024. The JASCO was carried out by the following national agencies including: • Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) • Immigration Citizenship Authority (ICA) • PNG Custom Services • Dept. of Labor and Industrial Relations • Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) • Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) • Royal PNG Constabulary (RPNGC) • PNG Power • Bank of PNG • ENB Division of Commerce • ENB provincial health authority (ENBPHA) IPA Officer in Charge of Investor Servicing and Promotion, Henry Bai, said that the operation that was carried out was authorised by the ENB Provincial Administration. He stated that the inspections were also aimed at raising awareness among the business community about the need to follow the national government's policies. “Each agency has its own checklists, so we went in together to do the inspections on companies in Rabaul, Kokopo and Kerevat.” “Prior to the operation, survey forms were handed out to firms in order to collect data on provincial investment trends.” “The form was primarily to know about what general activities they conduct, the investment and return that they earn and taxes that they pay.” “That is Database surveys in addition to spot checks.” Similar operations have also been carried out in West New Britain, Morobe, Milne Bay and New Ireland provinces. The team will be heading to Manus province in the coming months. In addition, the inspection resulted in the destruction of more than K1 million worth of condemned retail items on Friday, at the Butuwin Health Centre premises. The products were mostly expired items removed from shelves in shops in Kokopo, Kerevat and Rabaul towns. Bai said that after paperwork are finalised, the ENB enterprises that are determined to have violated rules and procedures while conducting business in the country may face prosecution. Meanwhile, ENB Provincial Advisor for the Commerce Division, Rosemary Murure, commended the efforts of the JASCO operation team. “This is the first ever major operation conducted in the province.” “We wish to see more of this in the coming years, so business continues to comply with the laws of this country.” She said that an agreement inked in 2018 has seen the successful collaboration between national agencies and the ENBPA to carry out the operation.