Port Moresby, 6 Desember 2023 – As part of its efforts to accelerate entrepreneurial skills for coastal communities, particularly in the blue economy sector, the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum organised a training called “Bluepreneur: Coastal Communities Training” in Papua New Guinea on 4 – 6 December 2023. This was a continuation of the previous Women’s bluepreneur training held in Jakarta, 23-24 October ago.
The training was held under the collaboration of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The Indonesian government, through the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenkomarves) collaborated with the AIS Forum Secretariat, AIDAN Limited, and the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) Papua New Guinea. In addition to this, the event was also supported by PT Pertamina Hulu Energi. This training program was the initial stage of AIS Forum’s efforts to expand collaboration in to empower coastal communities in Papua New Guinea through various activities and programmes.
Held at the Stanley Hotel, Port Moresby, this training aimed to provide various insights and skills to bluepreneurs so they will be able to develop their businesses through innovative approach. Radian Nurcahyo, Assistant Deputy for Maritime Law and Agreements at Kemenkomarves, who was present at the training, said that this training was a medium for strengthening the capacity of coastal communities in an effort to advance the blue entrepreneurial sector which is a potential sector for coastal communities in island countries like Papua New Guinea.
“We are aware that coastal communities consist of many supporting communities with a lot of potential, especially in the blue economy sector. “Because of that, the AIS Forum exists as a forum that acts as a catalyst for innovation and development, one of which is through training like this,” he said.
Attended by 30 bluepreneurs from various regions in Papua New Guinea, this training was held using a community-based approach. Targeting women, young people, and people with disabilities as participants in this training, the AIS Forum provided space for bluepreneurs in the community to learn and expand their entrepreneurial skills in the blue economy sector. This is based on the fact that Papua New Guinea, along with other countries in the Pacific, has a lot of potential resources, both natural resources and human resources.
The three-days training involved various speakers and provided participants with a variety of topics. On the first day, there were three sessions held such ash Business Fundamental, Business Management with Business Model Canvas, and Marketing Strategies using Technology. On this first day there were also representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment and the National Capital District Commission Papua New Guinea.
On the second day, the participants continued discussing material regarding the development of fishery products on a small-scale basis. Seeing that the potential of fisheries resources in Papua New Guinea is very promising, the training topics on the second day focused on practical approaches, such as product introductions and direct practice on how to develop seaweed-based products. This was also continued on the third day, where the training participants were further equipped with training on the product packaging methods that had been developed.
On the third day, the Indonesian Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Andriana Supandy, was present. Ambassador Supandy was seen monitoring the implementation of the training, as well as trying out the products made by the training participants.
Various examples of products were successfully developed jointly by the participants as a result of the ideas that emerged during the training. It is hoped that after receiving various materials and examples from businesspeople in the blue economy sector, bluepreneurs can apply and re-implement the results of this training in their respective communities. The greater hope is that the participants can help advance the blue economy sector in the entrepreneurial community of women, young people, and people with disabilities, and even more importantly be able to become the basis of support for advancing the trade sector in the Papua New Guinea region and beyond. (*)
