small-business

Fears cheap Asian imports of Papua New Guinea cultural products undermining local market

Women who sew the traditional "meri blouse", a type of dress introduced by missionaries, fear their industry is being undermined by cheap Asian imports.

They want rules to ensure cultural items can only be made in Papua New Guinea so they can keep earning an income.

Regina Robert sews meri blouses and sells them at Port Moresby's handicraft market.

"Those of us who worked in the market before used to make good money because there was not much competition," she said.