Monday 4th May, 2026
The Papua New Guinea MSME Council Inc. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to integrate its membership database with SevisPass, the national digital ID platform.
Council President James P. Gore said the partnership marks a major step forward for small businesses, stating that it will make membership registration and tracking more efficient.
“This agreement is about making it easier for our MSMEs to register, participate, and grow, while protecting their data. By integrating the MSME Council’s membership database with national digital platforms, we strengthen service delivery, improve policy decisions through better data, and open pathways for MSMEs to trade and access digital finance.”
DICT Secretary Steven Matainaho highlighted how this partnership will contribute to realizing the importance of digital identity and payments in building PNG’s digital economy.
“Adoption of SevisPass means getting all our MSMEs registered. Digital ID and digital payment are enabling components of growing the digital economy. We want to be part of financial inclusion, empowering MSMEs to access digital markets and broaden their customer base.”
The MOU outlines:
- Collaborative development of a secure MSME membership database, integrated with SevisPass and DICT’s e-government portal.
- Strong protections for member privacy, with database management led by the Council and technical support from DICT.
- Plans for a digital cross-border trading platform to connect PNG MSMEs with APEC economies and India.
- Exploration of digital finance solutions, including payment gateways, microfinance, lending platforms, and financial literacy initiatives.
The agreement will run for an initial three years, with implementation overseen by a joint steering committee.
“This collaboration strengthens sustainability and opportunity for local entrepreneurs. It ensures our MSMEs can innovate, compete, and create jobs across the country,” Mr Gore concluded.