We (as in me and the folks back in the village) have been busy the last 12 months with the organising and setting up of an Association back in the village. The road has been hard work, challenging but also incredibly rewarding.
And yes… we are making progress!
As part of the process of applying for the incorporation of an Association in PNG one is required to place an advert in one of the local papers to give folks the opportunity to oppose or appeal against the application.
All matters related are done so via the Registrar of Companies which happens to comes under the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA).
So…
The advert mentioned above appeared in yesterday’s issue of The National!! A milestone if there ever was a milestone. In PNG, these sorts of endeavours are wrought with continual delays, frustrations and unbelievable inefficiency. So to get this far has been a feat to say the least.
Here’s a copy of the advert I’m talking about… (click on the thumbnail if you want to see a larger version)
Note that where you see “Schlit” - this is meant to be “Schilt”. I suppose I should be somewhat thankful that at least they got the “L” in there somewhere!!
The next step will be to wait one month (just in case there are any appeals) and then submit the formal application together with a working Constitution to the Registrar of Companies for consideration. Once this is approved a Certificate of incorporation is given and one can then go through the steps of opening a bank account.
Something that might take at the most a few weeks back at home - will end up taking over a year in PNG - by the time we’ve crossed the finish line. In my opinion we have moved relatively fast due to the Registrar responding very quickly to email enquiries. Those without access to email could possibly die of old age (or more than likely frustration) before the process had a chance to complete.
The key for me in this whole business has been the fact that I have become very familiar with the Associations Incorporation Act 1966 - it has the required processes and legalities noted and thus I had a clear roadmap to follow. Anyone out there wanting to go down a similar path can I suggest that you become initimately familiar with the above Act.
Hi, I manage a producer-trader linkages project with the Fairtrade certified system and I am currently making an assessment on Fairtrade development in PNG to open up the market in ANZ. I’d like to get in touch with you to learn more about the group you are working with and the coffee you are producing.
Thanks and hope to hear from you soon,
Maria.
Hi Maria,
We have also commenced a Fairtrade certification application together with a local Coffee Company called Monpi Coffee. We are still in the early stages but initial paper work has been submitted with an Audit next on the agenda (I think). My understanding is that there are several groups in PNG that already carry Fairtrade logo although the word on the “street” is that their practices leave much to be desired. We are happy with the relationship growing with Monpi - I believe they have a strong ethical leaning in relation to work that they undertake with locals.
I can be contacted via email address: rschilt@hotmail.com if you wish to take this discussion further.
Warm regards,
Robert