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Building an inclusive private sector that enables all Papua New Guineans, including women and people with disabilities, to participate fully in the economy is key to unlocking stronger growth, according to a new assessment launched today by the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB’s) Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI).

The new report, Unlocking Potential: A Gender Inclusive Private Sector (GIPS) Framework for the Pacific, Papua New Guinea (PNG) Country Assessment, published today, highlights recent progress and identifies priority areas for further reform in PNG across seven categories: leadership, workplace environment, financial inclusion, technology, the business enabling environment, and participation in key economic sectors.

PSDI hosted a launch event today at the Hilton Hotel, Port Moresby for the assessment, including a keynote speech from Amb. Ivan Pomaleu, OBE, the Chief Secretary to Government.

Speaking at the event, Amb. Pomaleu said, “the GIPS assessment demonstrates how an inclusive environment spurs productivity, innovation, innovation, and private sector growth. Investing in women’s skills, leadership, and protections in the workforce is essential to unlocking a skilled and adaptable workforce. We must pursue gender-responsive policies, expand affordable credit for women-led enterprises, and mainstream gender equality across government and policy.”

The PNG assessment is based on PSDI’s GIPS Framework for the Pacific, a regional framework that offers governments a comprehensive roadmap to assess and improve progress towards supporting an inclusive private sector enabling environment.

“The assessment shows that PNG is moving in the right direction. However, there are still barriers holding women back and limiting their opportunities,” said ADB PNG Country Director, Said Zaidansyah. "A country cannot move forward when half of its citizens are held back. This is why, for ADB, accelerating gender equality is one of our operational priorities. In every project we do, we are ensuring women are participating fully."

The GIPS country assessment for PNG recommends improving sex- and disability-disaggregated data collection, finalizing the labor legislation review, developing a national action plan on women’s economic empowerment, strengthening women’s participation in key sectors, reviewing the national procurement policy, and commissioning a study on the availability of formal care services.

According to the assessment, these measures could help close gender gaps in economic participation and harness the full potential of women and people with disabilities in driving inclusive economic growth.

“The assessment shows that PNG has already made important progress towards a more inclusive private sector. Business laws and registration procedures have improved, support to women entrepreneurs is growing, and women’s access to capital and retirement funds has improved,” said the report’s author, PSDI Economic Empowerment of Women Expert, Sarah Boxall.

“Still, many barriers remain, representing real missed opportunities to strengthen economic growth. For example, studies suggest that increasing women in the workforce could boost PNG’s gross domestic product by over 20 percent. This would add billions of kina to the economy, improve household incomes, and enable greater government investment in infrastructure, health care, and education,” said Ms Boxall.

PSDI is an ADB technical assistance program undertaken in partnership with the governments of Australia and New Zealand. It supports ADB’s 14 Pacific DMCs to improve the enabling environment for business and to achieve inclusive, private sector-led economic growth, including through reforms designed to enhance the economic empowerment of women.

Sarah Boxall, PSDI Economic Empowerment of Women Specialist, presenting at the launch.

Ambassador Ivan Pomaleu, OBE, the Chief Secretary to Government, delivering the keynote address.

L-R: Panelists Helen Saleau, Acting Chairwoman for Arbitration, Department of Labour; Evonne Kennedy, Executive Director, PNG Business Coalition for Women; and Eli Webb, Executive Director, PNG Women’s Business Resource Centre and Industrial Relations.

Said Zaidansyah, ADB PNG Country Director, delivering the welcoming remarks at the launch.

Sinead Mulders Jones, First Secretary Economic Australian High Commission, delivering closing remarks at the launch.

Ange Kuselly, PSDI PNG Country Coordinator, moderating the panel on the theme of “From Independence to Inclusion: Women’s Role in PNG’s Economic Future.”