The owner of Nangu Chef Catering Chef Nicky Pohonhelan has received an award for successfully expanding from a solo operator to a team of five, including three dedicated kitchen hands.
According to Australian High Commission this award is part of the Australian government recognition to the ingenuity, resilience and contribution of Papua New Guinea’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the annual PNG SME Awards.
This award comprises a value of PGK15,000: a cash prize of PGK5,000 and PGK10,000 in tailored business development support.
Australian High Commission representative, Acting Minister Counsellor Richelle Turner, presented the award to Chef Nicky Pohonhelan which comprises a value of PGK15,000: a cash prize of PGK5,000 and PGK10,000 in tailored business development support.
Turner also spoke about the important role SMEs play and the contribution they make to the country’s economy.
“Papua New Guinea’s small and medium enterprises contribute to a dynamic and inclusive economy by driving innovation and excellence every day. The annual SME Awards night places a spotlight on the contribution businesses of all sizes make,” she said.
In accepting the Yumi Stap Wantaim Award, Pohonhelan, representing Nangu Chef Catering thanked the Australian Government.
“As an SME out there, right now I’m thinking of what kind of stove am I going to get, what kind of oven am I going to get. I appreciate the Australian Government for giving me this opportunity to basically wonder how else I can grow my business, because there has been plans, but the issue was finance,” he said.
This year, the PNG SME Awards marked the introduction of the inaugural Yumi Stap Wantaim Award, sponsored by the Australian Government
through the PNG Australia Partnership. The award is designed to celebrate SMEs in Papua New Guinea that demonstrate strong business growth and resilience in terms of turnover, market share, and profitability and also exemplify the values of partnership, community engagement, and service.
