About Us
Manufacturers Council of Papua New Guinea
The Manufacturers Council of Papua New Guinea (Council), often referred to as ‘MCPNG’, is a prominent organisation that represents the interests of manufacturers in Papua New Guinea. The Council provides a range of services and assistance to existing manufacturers in the country. It identifies the needs of its members for information, advice, and assistance in industry, trade, and commerce matters, and lobbies governments and international bodies at all levels on these matters.
The Council stands for creating an enabling environment in which PNG-based manufacturing and value-added companies can expand and reach their full potential to compete in the multilateral trading system. The Council aims to ensure that the sector continues to grow and prosper by working together with policymakers in the government and other manufacturers.
The Council’s efforts include advocating for investment in the manufacturing sector, which provides many jobs and skills training, and supporting local MSMEs by encouraging the purchase of locally made products.
The Council represents its members’ interests and addresses specific problems that arise from regulatory impact or other causes by approaching the relevant government departments, authorities, or individual representatives. It has achieved significant benefits for its members and is equally concerned with the smallest manufacturer as it is with the largest.
The Government of Papua New Guinea encouraged the formation of the Council, it is in the Government’s interests to deal with one representative body – a body representing many individual manufacturers “united with one strong voice”. With the combined strength of its members, the Council can have a formidable impact on Government planning and intervention.
The Council’s membership includes a diverse range of large, medium and small manufacturers, from food and beverage producers to fabrication, textile, construction and tobacco manufacturing businesses.
The Council’s continued high profile within the government, public sector, and international partners is a testament to its effectiveness in representing the sector.
What We Do?
Advocacy
We lobby the government and international bodies to address industry, trade, and commerce matters.
Support
We provide information, advice, and assistance to our members.
Promotion
We licence and protect the ‘PNGMADE’ brand to promote locally manufactured goods.
Collaboration
We work with various private sector stakeholders, state departments and PNG’s bilateral partners to ensure the growth and prosperity of the manufacturing industry.
Guidelines for Public Statements
Providing a unified voice is essential for advocating for the interests of the manufacturing sector, fostering collaboration and cohesion within the industry, and maximizing our influence and impact on policy and decision-making processes. A unified voice enhances the visibility and credibility of our sector in the eyes of policymakers, investors, consumers, and the public.
By speaking with one voice, the Council can amplify our influence and effectiveness in shaping policies, regulations, and initiatives that directly impact our members businesses. This can lead to favourable outcomes and a more conducive business environment for our sector – which are the core objectives of the Council.
To maintain cohesion and effectively represent the interests of our members, it is important for members of our Council to adhere to clear guidelines when making public statements. These guidelines are designed to ensure accuracy, integrity, and respectful communication, thereby upholding the reputation and influence of our industry association.
- Accuracy and Integrity:
- Members should ensure that any public statements referencing the Council, or its Executive, are accurate, truthful, and made in good faith.
- Statements should not contain misleading or defamatory information that could harm the Council’s reputation.
- Authorisation:
- Members should seek authorisation from the Council before making any public statements on behalf of the Council or implying its endorsement of a particular viewpoint.
- Clarity of Role:
- Members should clearly indicate whether their statements represent their personal views or those of the Council.
- When in doubt, Members should clarify that their statements are personal and not official positions of the Council.
- Respectful Communication:
- Members should engage in respectful and constructive communication, avoiding misinformation, inflammatory language or personal attacks.
- Consultation:
- If a member wishes to make a public statement on an issue related to the Council, they are encouraged to consult with the Council’s Executive or CEO to ensure alignment with the Council’s objectives and values.
Our Mission
“To lead the development of cost effective and focused manufacturing and exporting sectors in multi-sector partnerships at the national, regional and global levels”.
The mission of the Council is the guide against which all actions / decisions ensure consistency of purpose. The Council seeks to provide clarity on priorities, direction and processes to achieve results in creating an environment that is conducive to the interests of the Council’s members.
The Council aims to build commitment of its members, based on a common understanding of the issues, options, and implications of its advocacy. Members recognise that their membership incurs a responsibility to the wellbeing of the wider manufacturing sector – they are encouraged to share ideas and support their manufacturing colleagues as part of collective learning and advancement of our sector.
The Council is committed to fostering a spirit of partnership and close collaboration with Government, based on mutual respect and trust – recognising that whilst the parties will not always agree, cooperation rather than confrontation is more likely to lead to better decisions, and sustained benefits for all in the longer term.
The Membership recognises the importance of self-help and reinvestment in the future of their own businesses and their Council.
In all activities, the impact of our sector on the environment and people of PNG will be a key consideration.
At all times the Council shall ensure it, and its members’ actions are conducive to the long-term sustainability of efficient manufacturing and value-adding.
Our Objectives
The Council promotes and protects the manufacturing and value-added sector, and its members through:
- Partnership and collaboration with the Government, by providing technical and governance expertise, to create an enabling environment for industry with a particular focus on import substitution and exporting.
- Collection of information on all matters of interest.
- Redress and removal of grievances in connection with industry
- Developing the public interest in the Council and the manufacturing and value-added sector.
- Promoting the establishment of value-added industries in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Island Region.
- Promoting the export of PNG-Made Products.
- Advising the Government on matters pertaining to industries within the region and in particular exports from Papua New Guinea.
- Promoting and encourage improvements of industrial design and presentation of PNGMADE products.
- Investing any Council moneys not required for immediate use in such Government or real securities or on bank deposits as may be deemed safe and desirable.
Board Members
Executive

Murray Woo - OBE
Chairman
Managing Director, Woo Textile

Ashlon Chue
Deputy Chairman
Director, Pacific Industries

Brad Barlow
Secretary
General Manager, Nestle, PNG

Tom Curtis
Treasurer
General Manager, Tru Gas
Directors

Simon Barstow
General Manager, Dulux Group Pte

Dorothy Bengo
Public Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PNG

Adrian Chow
MD, Damba Ltd T/a Prima Smallgoods

David Cusick
General Manager, Rhodes PNG

Stanley Leahy
Managing Director, Zenag Chicken

John Macindoe
General Manager, Purewater

John McCarthy
Managing Director, Atlas Steel

John Nilkare
Corporate Affairs Manager, South Pacific Brewery

Tim Madgwick
GM, PNG Forest Prodcuts, Tropic Air & Tufi Resort

Nihal Shah - LLB
Country Manager, Pacific Foam & Colorpak

John Wood
GM, Colgate-Palmolive (PNG) Ltd
Council Team

Chey Scovell
Chief Executive Officer

Fiona Diaka
Admin & Finance Officer