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BY JOE PARAIDE
Niugini Paper Pro, a local SME established by Alvin and Stefanie Wong, makes paper bags from a small plant in Takubar in Kokopo, East New Britain Province, promoting a plastic-free environment.
The business idea started in 2019 when the ban of plastics was established in PNG.
Stefanie Wong was attending a conference at the Gazelle International Hotel, when she got the idea of launching her own paper bag company as a remedy to the plastic ban regulations, while making it easy for everyone to acquire paper bags locally.
When all company documentation were resolved and the paper bag machine was purchased from Asia, the family SME officially began in mid-2022.
Today, they manufacture paper bags in four different sizes, which are mostly used for carrying food, clothing, jewelry, handmade crafts and chemical items. Large size costs K10 for 50 pieces, medium size costs K7 for 50 pieces, small size costs K5 for 50 pieces, and very small costs K2 for 50 pieces.
“I come up with ideas, and my spouse puts them into action. He is quite good at modifying stuff when we come to a standstill. We form an excellent team since an idea without action is only a fantasy. Our dream is just now becoming a reality,” Mrs Wong said.
Niugini Paper Pro utilises the social media for promotion, as well as having sales at Kokopo Market on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays each week.
“Depending on the sales at the market and the orders of the day, we make K60 to K250. We do sales in Kokopo only. The money we make from paper sales usually go back to our business,” Mrs Wong said.
Vendors usually purchase the paper bags at the market while orders from SMEs like Maku Gifts, Mondo Cafeteria, Anitua Gumur and G’s Food house are usually dropped off.
Their relatives always help out in manufacturing while their children assist with deliveries.
Alvin Wong manages their little paper bag factory at home and also does the marketing at Kokopo Market, while his wife keeps the business operating.
They are looking into expanding their business in the future by producing other products like toilet tissues, paper plates, paper cups, cake boxes and paper lunch packs.
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