SINGAPORE: Entrepreneurs from Papua New Guinea’s disability community met in Goroka Province with government officials and representatives of major banks to discuss how to make the business environment more inclusive.
The two-day Business Without Barriers: Eastern Highlands Disability Inclusive Enterprise Forum, supported through the PNG–Australia Partnership, aims to identify solutions that enable equal access for persons with disability (PWDs) to financial services, skills development and market opportunities.
Eastern Highlands based entrepreneur and the Nokondi Assembly of Disabled Persons (NADP) leader Mr Simon Moki, whose story features prominently in the forum’s discussions, welcomed the event as a milestone for inclusive economic participation.
“Persons with disability often have to work twice as hard just to be treated equally. Many of us have the passion and drive to succeed in business, but we face barriers that others do not, whether it’s access to finance, accessible systems, or simply fair treatment,” Mr Moki said.
Reflecting on his own journey from micro-lending to operating a shop, mini-bar and taxi service, Mr Moki emphasised the importance of practical and systemic change.
“The biggest challenge for persons with disability is not the disability itself – it’s the environment around us. When banks, government and the private sector provide fair and accessible opportunities, we don’t just build our own businesses; we lift our communities,” he said.
He also recognised the support of the PNG–Australia Partnership.
“Australia’s support, through initiatives like the Twinning Buddy program and EmployAbility, has made a real difference for entrepreneurs like me. These programs give us skills, confidence and the tools to participate fully in the economy.”
The event is hosted by NADP, whose leadership in mobilising PWD participants reflects PNG’s growing capacity in disability governance and advocacy.
Australia remains committed to supporting inclusive economic growth in PNG. Through collaboration with provincial authorities, development partners and disability organisations, Australia continues to champion a future where all Papua New Guineans, regardless of ability, can participate fully in the economy.
The PNG–Australia Partnership EmployAbility project seeks to contribute to increased participation of people with disability the employment market, through capacity development training for jobseekers with disability, and the creation of PNG-specific case studies and an EmployAbility Toolkit to support businesses create more accessible workplaces. The EmployAbility Toolkit can be accessed through the website (https://www.employabilitytoolkit.org).