This was said by Commerce Minister William Samb, in response to media queries about the regulation of the psychoactive substance which is chewed by many in Papua New Guinea and 600 million worldwide.

 

"The informal economy has huge potential and if regulated, would bring in higher economic returns to the country.

 

"They cannot operate as ‘table mama and table papa' [roadside traders], they need to elevate from the informal to formal sector thus they are encouraged to secure the fundings parked in the banks through the small to medium enterprise support from the government," he said.

 

Samb told the Post Courier that betel nut was now becoming a high-value commodity because of its high demand. So, if regulated, the beneficiary numbers would increase and it would provide informal employment for more people.