In partnership with the local Member Of Parliament Honorable Henry Amuli, the IPA successfully conducted a joint awareness and training program in Kokoda and Popondetta.

IPA team members with Hon. Henry Jons Amuli landed at the Kokoda airstrip.

The team consisted of representatives from the Internal Revenue Commission, Department of Commerce and Industry and SME Corporation.

The aim of the program is to educate SMEs and the public on how to do business, the options they have in running a business and the responsibilities they have as business owners.

IPA conducts such programs so that people in rural areas are empowered so they can equally participate in economic development by converting their resources into business opportunities.

Whilst the rural populace receives such information, there is still a gap in the authentication requirements and banking services. This therefore calls for the involvement of the NID Office as well as banks and other financial institutions.

Kokoda is synonymous with the World War II trail and has been receiving tourists from all over the world over the years. It is one of the four Local Level Governments in the Sohe District and is commonly known as the most resource-rich area in the province. There is high cashflow circulating in the area from informal businesses and MSMEs in alluvial mining, tourism, oil palm, vanilla, coffee, cocoa and fresh produce to name a few.

While there is no official data to confirm the value of cashflow in the area, there is evidence of sustenance and people in the area have cash crops and farms which sustain their livelihoods.

From the awareness program, it was noted that people in Kokoda are resilient with so much resources at hand. There is potential for more economic activities to thrive in the area. However, law and order coupled with political instability have been key issues affecting economic growth in the area.

Kokoda Station consists of basic infrastructures including an airstrip, hospital, police station and Local Level Government Chamber.

A new Kokoda Council Chamber and the Kokoda Sub District Court House are being completed and will be ready for commissioning by end of the year.

Honorable Member Amuli has also indicated his plan to develop an Incubation Center in Kokoda in collaboration with SME Corporation.

The area has a greater influence of the Australian Government through the Kokoda Track Initiatives and the Kokoda Track Authority.

The District has great potential and the Local MP’s commitment and efforts to develop the Electorate is continuously being hampered by political tussles through court petitions.

A key investment project in Kokoda is the Mambare Nickel/Cobalt mine in which an exploration license was recently issued to Coercel, an Angolan and Brazilian company. This project is at its exploration stage but it is set to impact highly on the local economy and the country as a whole.

Another investment project in the area is the Divune hydro project which is almost complete. The facility has the capacity to generate 3 megawatts of power to supply both the Kokoda Station and the Popondetta town.

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