Papua New Guinea’s potential to become a dynamic fashion and garment industry in the world is being recognised and supported by corporate and business houses in the country.

The Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) strongly believes that the country has a lot to offer on the global fashion stage.

The company presented a K25, 000 cheque to the PNG Fashion Week (PNGFW) organising committee to host PNG’s first-ever Fashion Week Event.

PNGFW provides a platform for PNG designers to introduce and promote their work and also aims to help upcoming designers enhance their skills and grow into an established designer with credibility and recognition.

When presenting the cheque, MRDC General Manager for Commercial Mr Clifford Kasi said the event was a brilliant initiative to support.

He said the investment would help set the foundation for the future of PNG’s fashion industry.

“The potential to become a powerhouse in the world is enormous. This sector is a sleeping giant. It is the other half of tourism that is not adequately cultivated to reach its full potential, therefore it is important to raise awareness to strengthen the sector‘s potential for development,” said Mr Kasi.

Kasi said the PNG Fashion Week was an avenue to identify talents, promoting and linking these talents with commercial opportunities.

“We must provide a platform to empower the creative efforts of our local designers and artists and set them on the right path in their journey to create beautiful garments, drawing their inspirations from the vast diverse cultural heritage of PNG,” Kasi added.

PNGFW’s main objective is to put PNG on the map with the country’s traditional designs and patterns being incorporated in fashion and arts.

Furthermore, PNGFW promotes small to medium enterprises by acting as a catalyst for the fashion industry to grow in the business arena and create an income for the local designers.