The very recently held 14th World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) brought to light some of the important things that needed to be addressed going forward in supporting the growth indigenous businesses. The Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru said that it is high time the National Government recognizes the need for Papua New Guinean indigenous businesses. “There are so many Papua new Guinean indigenous entrepreneurs who have done so much without Government support. This Forum allowed them to come and display their products and many of us were really inspired. I am so impressed of the energy and the drive of our people,” said the minister. “They did not wait for the Government; they did what they had to do. Papua New Guineans have the potential and all they need is support. We (government) need to look at how we can support our entrepreneurs, how we can nurture them, and how we can incentivize the growth of the indigenous private sector.” Minister Maru said these are the issues that the State needs to look at and organize itself to support PNG’s indigenous business community, especially in industries that replace imports and grow exports. “Our Government must build a broad-based economy that will create job and generate wealth,” Minister Maru added. Minister Maru said one of the ways to help the local indigenous businesses grow, is through such forums. And with that, the announced that first Papua New Guinea Indigenous Business Forum will be hosted next year with the theme ‘Replacing Imports and Growing Exports’. “We need to help our indigenous businesses to rise up and take their place in this country,” said Minister Maru.