dependence

Aid to reduce dependence on aid

By Ian Williams

AID to reduce aid dependence is the intention of a recent United Nations Development Pro gramme “multi-island” proj ect, the South Pacific Project Facility.

Based on previous projects in the Caribbean and Africa, it is intended to help small and medium enterprises.

Australia, Japan, Canada and others are donating $46.25 million for the scheme, and UNDP is offering $750,000 which is intended to provide technical help to would-be entrepreneurs.

In particular, UNDP’s help would provide expertise in drawing up project plans to persuade the financial insti tutions and joint venture partners to invest.

It also will provide training for government officials and development bank personnel in the field of new

business development.

They will be looking especially at ways to help smaller businesses in sectors like agriculture and fisheries. The current minimum is about $lOO,OOO, which is a massive sum for many of the economies and businesses in the island. UNDP hopes to lower the minimum, and to provide opportunities for agriculturists and fishermen to submit joint applica tions. But it need not be fishermen the project will be looking especially for women entrepreneurs.

Currently it is believed that the project has only one hitch a squabble among the donors over the headquarters, some of whom are reported to want it to remain based in Sydney, and others who want it to remove the islands.

Another UNDP project in PNG is

providing first aid for the traditional enemies of small businesses the taxmen. A million from UNDP is added to 51.25 million from Australia and the same from Port Moresby itself to train Public Accounts staff in systems develop

ment and troubleshooting, The regional secretariat which admin isters five provinces will also be getting help. It is hoped that better cash flow and monitoring will help balance the budget.

Big-time fishermen: smaller fry could also get a boost from UNDP aid