By ZEBEDEE KUMPIO
WR Carpenter Group of Companies have come on board as the Diamond Sponsor and naming rights partner for the upcoming 2024 World Coconut Day celebration.
The 2024 World Coconut Day is scheduled to be hosted by the Kokonas Indastri Koporesen (KIK) from the 30th of September to the 4th of October in Port Moresby.
Mr. Daera said WR Carpenter has been in PNG for over 50 years in the coconut sector, supporting local farmers by purchasing raw coconuts and processing them into coconut oil and copra meal for international export.
“On behalf of our directors and the management of Carpenters Group of Companies, we would like to congratulate KIK MD and the team for hosting World Coconut Day here in PNG,” said the WRC Managing Director.
“Today, we are here to make sure that we support Mr. Allan Aku and his team with a sponsorship of K500, 000.”
KIK Managing Director, Mr. Allan Aku, thanked WR Carpenter Group for the largest sponsorship of the event and for the continued partnership the WRC Group has with KIK.
He stated that the World Coconut Day will be celebrated from the 30th of September to the 4th of October, and that the coconut industry has been reaching out to partners and businesses to support the event.
Mr Aku explained that while World Coconut Day is typically celebrated annually on the 2nd of September, this year the dates were shifted due to the Pope’s arrival at the beginning of September and Independence celebrations.
“There are 90 countries that produce coconuts, and this event is celebrated globally each year,” Aku said.
“We are a member of the International Coconut Community, with 20 member countries.
“Papua New Guinea became a member of that organization in 1976, shortly after independence, and in 2023, we were selected to host the World Coconut Day celebrations.”
Mr. Aku added that around 60 groups from outside the country are expected to attend the event.
He also noted that all Small and Medium Enterprises involved in the coconut sector across the country would be attending the event, which will be held at Sir John Guise Stadium.
