IFC Provides Business Training to Digicel Airtime Credit Distributors in Papua New Guinea

Port Moresby, Papua NewGuinea, August 21, 2011—IFC,

amember of the World Bank Group, is partnering with telecommunications companyDigicel to train mobile phone airtime credit distributors in Papua NewGuinea on how to grow their businesses, helping create jobs and expandaccess to telecommunications services.

The training program targets about 120 enterprises, mostly micro, small,and medium businesses, that sell Digicel airtime credits. IFC conductedworkshops in Mount Hagen on August 20 and 21 focused on customer serviceand improving sales skills.

The workshops are part of IFC’s Business Edge global training productthat helps small and medium businesses improve performance and competitivenessby strengthening skills in areas such as sales and marketing, businessplanning, and leadership and motivation, based on the local business context.

“IFC’s Business Edge product will help our retailers better manage andgrow their businesses,” said John Mangos, CEO of Digicel Papua New Guinea.“This is a win-win proposition for our clients as it will improve customerservice and increase access to telecommunications products and services.”

More workshops facilitated by a local network of Business Edge-certifiedtrainers will be conducted in Port Moresby.

“Small and medium businesses help createjobs and promote economic growth,” said Carolyn Blacklock, IFC ResidentRepresentative for Papua New Guinea. “By working with Digicel Papua NewGuinea and its large number of distributors, IFC is supporting entrepreneursin developing their businesses and increasing access to telecommunicationsservices in the country.”

In 2006, IFC provided more than $100 million in financing to Digicel Limitedfor the construction and expansion of cellular networks in Papua New Guinea,Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

IFC is working with the Papua New Guinea government to improve the businessenvironment, supporting economic growth and job creation through privatesector development. The governments of Australia, Japan and New Zealandsupport IFC’s program in Papua New Guinea.

About IFC

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global developmentinstitution focused exclusively on the private sector. We help developingcountries achieve sustainable growth by financing investment, providingadvisory services to businesses and governments, and mobilizing capitalin the international financial markets. In fiscal 2011, amid economic uncertaintyacross the globe, we helped our clients create jobs, strengthen environmentalperformance, and contribute to their local communities—all while drivingour investments to an all-time high of nearly $19 billion. For more information,visit  

www.ifc.org

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