CIMC to convene first Informal Economy Sector dialogue after long hiatus
PORT MORESBY, PNG – May 2026 – The Consultative Implementation & MonitoringCouncil (CIMC) will convene its first Informal Economy Sectoral Committee Meeting of 2026 on May 28th at the Crown Hotel.
This stakeholder dialogue, chaired by Mr. Jerry Ubase, Secretary for the Department for Community Development and Religion (DfCDR), aims to tackle the critical legislative and policy hurdles facing the nation’s largest economic sector.
“Engaging in this dialogue is critical; it establishes a vital precedent for the informal economy to advance human development and family well-being,” stated Mr. Ubase.
He emphasized that bringing relevant stakeholders together to address institutional challenges and bridge development gaps is an urgent requirement. This collaborative effort directly aligns with the Reset@50 initiative and the nation's 20-year strategic roadmap to regulate, develop, and support the sector.
Furthermore, Mr. Ubase highlighted the strategic timing for Papua New Guinea to leverage its inherent socioeconomic resilience, drawing guidance from the preamble of the National Constitution.
“The informal economy represents the true ‘PNG Way,’ where our culture and daily livelihood seamlessly integrate into commerce, sustaining over 85% of our population,” he noted. “We must acknowledge this reality. Instead of viewing the informal sector as a
nuisance, we must regulate it effectively, foster its growth, and cultivate a conducive environment where it can thrive.”
With a large portion of Papua New Guinea's economy operating informally, the meeting will provide vital updates on the Revised Informal Economy Bill, the National Informal Economy Policy and the National SME Policy. These reforms are essential for integrating informal vendors and small business owners into the formal economy, ensuring they contribute to and benefit from national development resources.
Key highlights of the meeting include:
• Legislative Updates: A presentation from the Constitutional Law Reform Commission (CLRC) on the progress of the Informal Economy Bill.
• Market Management: Discussions on the Safe Cities Market Initiatives led by the NCDC Markets Division.
• The Informal Economy Policy: Update on the Informal Economy Policy II
• 2026 Activity Plan: The formal presentation and adoption of the committee’s 2026 Work Plan.
"This meeting is a pivotal platform for government, civil society, and the private sector to align on a roadmap that empowers our informal sector," says Mrs. Wallis Yakam, CIMC’s Executive Officer. "By addressing policy gaps and the bottlenecks affecting the management of the informal economic sector, we are laying the foundation for sustainable growth for thousands of PNG families."
Members of the media are invited to attend the group photo session at 12:40 PM, followed by a light refreshment session for brief interviews with committee facilitators.
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About CIMC
The Consultative Implementation & Monitoring Council (CIMC) is an independent organization that brings together civil society, the private sector, and government partners to develop policy and monitor government decision-making for the long-term development of Papua New Guinea.
