JAYAPURA – The Papua Provincial Government, through its Department of Trade and Industry, is encouraging business actors, especially indigenous Papuans (OAP), to register for a Business Identification Number (NIB).

Acting Head of the Papua Provincial Department of Trade and Industry, Hartati Sofia Iwanggin, stated that 252 small and medium industries have already registered for NIB.

"These 252 SMEs are spread across nine regencies and cities in Papua Province," said Iwanggin.

The majority are located in Jayapura Regency. She emphasized that obtaining a Business Identification Number is essential, as a requirement to receive business capital from village funds.

“Many of our entrepreneurs have not yet registered with SIINas (National Industrial Information System),” said Hartati.

The main obstacle, she explained, is a lack of knowledge about the registration process. Therefore, her office will proactively visit business actors to collect data on the types of businesses they operate.

“We must support and guide them. There is a need for outreach and capacity-building activities to help them register their businesses with SIINas,” she added.

She urged entrepreneurs who already have businesses to coordinate with the Papua Provincial Department of Trade and Industry to receive assistance in the registration process.

“If we haven’t been able to reach them, they should report themselves so we can assist them,” she concluded. ***