Bismil opens Lae branch

By Haiveta Kivia

 

SIR Mekere Morauta says Papua New Guinea’s economy is now growing deeper, is much more diversified and everything is pointing to Lae.
 

The former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and senior statesmen made this comment at the official opening of Bismil Trading — Lae branch, yesterday.
 

Bismil Trading is a safety work wear and gear manufacturer and supplier based in Port Moresby.
Lae will be its first branch outside of the nation’s capital. It is owned by Sir Mekere and his wife Lady Roslyn Morauta and their business partner Ikram Sahabdeen.
 

The new branch was officially opened by former Lae MP and senior statesman Bart Philemon, who told the owners of Bismil, Sir Mekere, Lady Morauta and Mr Sahabdeen that when they are in Lae, the world knows you are here to do business.
 

“Welcome to Lae, and I wish you every success,” Mr Philemon said before he cut the ribbon to declare the branch opened.
 

Sir Mekere and Lady Morauta bought Bismil from its previous owner in 2006 after they came out of a fishing business which had plummeted due to a global economic recession that affected cultured prawn farms all over the world.
 

Sir Mekere also said that the inflated oil price at that time saw cost in operations rise, so he pulled the plug and diversified.
 

He said that Bismil’s profit turnover is five times greater than when he first bought it, and it reflects the growth of the economy in Papua New Guinea.
 

He said that the economy in PNG is growing and diversifying, and everything is pointing to Lae, with its magnificent port and its easy access to the Highlands, Mamose and New Guinea Islands.
 

“Bismil is a small company and the attraction to be in Lae is so big and we have to be here,” he said.
 

Mr Sahabdeen said that it engages in manufacturing and delivery, and is more cheaper than its competitors because they have everything from work wear to embroidery under one roof.
 

“We have our own workman brand which we source direct from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore and China, unlike some suppliers who get their’s through Australia and China or elsewhere where the cost is high,” he said.
 

He said that the Lae branch will have two embroidering machines installed, with more to come.
 

Sir Mekere said that the competition in the manufacturing and supply of industrial safety wear and gear is increasing but they will focus on quality and good customer relationship to get them up and running in Lae.

Bismil is housed at Unit 05, Section 30 and Allotment 1 at Sletjford Street, which is better known as Steamships Compound.