5 coffee groups cleared to build factories

Five new coffee grower groups have been granted permits to build factories by the Coffee Industry Corporation board.

They are East New Britain Coffee Growers Corporative Association, Enga-based Kompiam Co-operative Society Ltd, Eastern Highlands-based Logia Wago Coffee Management Services, Chimbu-based Neretere Coffee Ltd and Mt Hagen-based Rokel Wet Factory.

Workers from Arabicas Ltd threading green bean coffee bag

Workers from Arabicas Ltd showing off green bean coffee

Another notable achievement was by Goroka-based Hanu Coffee Producers, which advanced from permit to build a dry coffee factory to a dry processing license.

“License and permits were approved for these coffee companies after a full inspection by the CIC coffee inspectors of their facilities,” said CIC CEO Navi Anis.

“These included funding, land, coffee supply of at least 50 to 100ha and management expertise were considered appropriate in line with CIC guidelines and recommendations made to the CIC board.”

He urged coffee companies to comply with the license and permit agreements and advance to higher levels of the coffee business.

Meanwhile, a total 121 licenses and permits for various coffee businesses were approved for 2012.

They include six manufacturing companies, 17 exporters, 49 dry processors, 37 wet processers and seven permits to build a factory were renewed.

A total of 23 licenses were not approved due to non-compliance issues, however, Anis said the companies could re-apply in March 2012 once all compliance issues were rectified.

License and permits for the respective coffee companies were issued to them by the CIC starting last week.