IPA launches online registry

Caption:  Minister Maru

Caption:  Foster Moore IT CEO, Joel Foster, demonstrating the use of the  online registry.  

By MATTHEW VARI

Wednesday, December 4, 2013 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)

THE Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) launched its online registry system with support from the New Zealand Government, which will enable online registration and updating of companies and information, last week at the Dynasty Restaurant in Port Moresby.

Online lodgment will enable clients to register their companies, have authorized access to update profile information, access business certificates and many more, all behind a computer from anywhere in Papua New Guinea.

It will also alleviate to common slowness many have associated with the registration of companies in the country.

Speaking on behalf of the board chairman- Professor Albert Mellam said that the online registry was a key project that the authority had taken with the aim to improve the formal business environment.

“Because of the government’s support, we have achieved this system, which supports the 12 pillars of the SME program.”

Sentiments that were supported by the guest of honor and Minister for Trade Commerce and Industry Richard Maru who acknowledged the huge drive behind the system was the SME (Small to Medium Enterprise) sector.

“On behalf of us all I would like to thank all the parties involved at IPA for their efforts.”

“A year ago the Prime Minister launched the 12 point SME package, and he made it clear that the online lodgment system should be achieved by this year.”

“The fact that we have this system shows how we have evolved in the world,” he said.

Minister Maru assured the business sector that the government was committed in driving more competition in the internet sector by recapitalizing Bmobile, and opening the market up to more competitors.

He also thanked the New Zealand Government for their support, and also the New Zealand Company Foster Moore IT company that developed the registry system.

“The launch here is not only historic, but also a game changer for our business sector, as it now means easier, simpler, cheaper, and reduction of time wastage for businesses who want  registration and want to file annual returns.”

“It is a system that speaks about the government’s intention to simplify the registration of new business entities.”

“We want to make sure that our people can lodge their papers without having to travel all the way to Moresby.”

He concluded by encouraging all in the business sector to start getting use to the internet to keep them on par with the global practices of doing business.

The registry will also enable access to certification of businesses especially for banking purposes, with over 100,000 business entries already loaded in the system to enable the quality of data to be correct, good, and quick.