PNG Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry's First Annual General Meeting

On June 20 2015 at the St. Joseph’s Church Parish Hall, Boroko in Port Moresby the Papua New Guinea Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PNGWCCI), the country’s first and only women’s chamber of commerce, held its first annual general meeting, which was highlighted by the chamber’s first-ever leadership election. Voting was an exclusive privilege of the members of PNGWCCI.

By resounding margins, Avia Koisen and Susil Nelson-Kongoi were elected by their fellow chamber members as President and Vice President, respectively. Margaret Aila was elected Secretary, Mary Abau was elected Treasurer, and Loi Vele was elected as Informal Economy Officer.

PNGWCCI works to empower and strengthen women entrepreneurs and leaders by building capacity, creating business networks, advocating innovatively and training members to build stronger businesses. “This chamber is here to stay,” vows Avia Koisen, “and we will work as long as it takes to improve public policy on behalf of our members.”

PNG Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry's First Annual General Meeting

Finally,  after the establishment of PNG Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry in November 2013,  we have arrived at the end of a busy and very successful first 18th months!  Please come on Saturday 20th June 2015 for the Chamber's very first Annual General Meeting and catch-up with friends over a cup of tea.

Here’s a call out to the members….

It is very important for the members that you try to join us for the Annual General Meeting.  The meeting will be held at the St. Joseph’s Church Hall, Boroko, from 09:00 am to 12:00 pm.  The normal business will commence at 09:00 am, followed by election of the new executive.

Two Officer’s from the Electoral Commission Office and Mrs Susan May from the US Embassy will conduct the elections.  The new executive will be announced by 12:00 pm on day of election.

The rules require that 21 members or more must be present to form a quorum to hold the AGM.  

So ensure to keep this Saturday morning free to attend and cast your vote at the very first PNGWCC Annual General Meeting!    

Papua New Guinea Womens Chamber - Progress in 2014

Papua New Guinea Women’s Chamber of Commerce (PNGWCCI) was launched in November 2013. Since its inception, the chamber has been able to attract over 100 members.

Our activities range from conducting workshops for members to organizing policy roundtables to encourage private sector participation, particularly women in the policy making process.

We also organize networking events such as business breakfasts and participate in trade exhibitions.

In the last eighteen months, PNGWCCI was able to conduct twelve workshops which were attended by over 275 women businesses. Over 300 participated in PNGWCCI organized conferences.

Policy advocacy roundtable was the first ever initiative to bring women businesses in limelight with policy makers to consider their recommendations for improving the SME policy being developed by PNG Government. PNGWCCI was not only the first women’s organization to convene a policy roundtable event in PNG, it was the first business organization to hold such an event as well

Our outreach extended up to Madang where PNGWCCI was invited by Madang Chamber President to conduct two workshops for their women members.

PNGWCCI President Avia Koisen says “Our chamber is the only representative body of business women in PNG. We work in a democratic environment in the collective interest of our members. Believe me, empowering business women and supporting them to grow their businesses is a great feeling. In the past eighteen months, PNGWCCI has interacted with over 1000 women owned business in PNG. Our partnership with the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) has helped us realize our vision. With a continuation of our partnership with CIPE, our work to economically empower women in PNG will be taken to the next level.”

PNGWCCI Workshop on How to start and run your business

PNG Womens Chamber of Commerce and Industry is hosting a workshop on 'How to start and run your business' for its members and non members, who are thinking about starting their own businesses.


The workshop will be held on Wednesday 13th may 2015, commencing at 1pm at the American Corner, National Library, Waigani.


PNGWCCI hopes that through these efforts we can also contribute and be a facilitator for the alleviation of poverty in Papua New Guinea.


It is one of the aims of PNGWCCI to facilitate business awareness and training for members to building stronger businesses.  This training is the result of a recent membership survey in which, the members gave the training their highest need in preparation to start their own businesses.


Free for our members and non members.  Please contact us on Bmobile: 76369292 and Email: wccipng@gmail.com


Dress code: Smart attire
Bring a pen and writing pad

PNG Womens Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Objectives

1. To promote and support opportunities for women through networking and mentoring.
2. Facilitate business awareness and training for members to building stronger businesses.
3. To advocate policy and legislative improvement for creating competitive business environment.
4. To building and foster partnerships with key stakeholders.
5. To provide access to business opportunitites for members.
6. To contribute towards community building through business training for informal businesses.