The Business Advantage International PNG Investment conference

An impressive young digital entrepreneur has ambitious plans.

Crystal Kewe, the co-founder of Port Moresby-based software company Crysan Technology has a plan to develop a national platform for weavers of bilum bags—bilum Mamas— to market the product on a global scale. Kewe believes most bilum weavers do not get an equal share of what they make.

‘The middle men get most of the share. There is the also the issue that tourists who come to PNG cannot connect with the traditional and cultural significance of those bilums.

‘A country which does not innovate will stagnate and regress at the peril

of its citizens.’ She says she will be working with Westpac PNG and Mastercard to develop a payment gateway.

Kewe argues that there is an urgent need in PNG to develop innovation clusters and supportive government policies.

‘Presently, institutional actors such as the governments, science and innovation agencies, research and training institutions, and the ICT industry do not harmonise because there is a lack of innovation policy, a strategic framework and systems that promote innovation to enhance economic growth.

‘ We have a small vibrant community of ICT start ups with a membership of over 30. We have organised ourselves into the PNG ICT cluster. Several of our members are already contributing in the education sector, conservation, micro enterprise and other areas using web apps.

‘ We are working to raise awareness and link up with international organisations.’

Kewe started her first company with her father when she was 15 (she is now 18). She said developing an innovation culture is critical to the future of Papua New Guinea.

‘ Without innovation, I think the country will be doomed when resources run out and there is no inflow of new ideas, businesses and opportunities to sustain the modern economy.

‘There is a need to recognise and modernise all actors in the economy in order to sustain innovation.’ 