BSP Financial Group Ltd. has launched a nationwide community investment program on 12 September to celebrate Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence anniversary, reaffirming its role as a partner in nation-building.
The initiative, called “50for50 – Givim Bek,” was revealed during BSP’s annual PNG Flag Raising ceremony, observed across all its 80-plus branches in the country. Through this program, BSP will invest K2.5 million into 50 community-driven projects nationwide, with each selected community receiving K50,000 in funding support.
BSP Board Chairman Robert Bradshaw described the initiative as both a gift and a reflection of BSP’s deep connection with the country.
“BSP is not only part of the country’s history but also its future. At Independence in 1975, we were a small domestic bank. Today, we are the South Pacific’s largest financial group. Our ‘50for50 – Givim Bek’ Program reaffirms our deep connection with the communities we serve and ensures that progress is shared across PNG – at least one community in each province will receive this support over the next year,” Bradshaw said.
The new program builds on BSP’s long-running Community Projects Program, which already delivers over K1.2 million annually in health, education and community development initiatives. Together, these commitments aim to leave a lasting legacy in education, youth empowerment, sustainable livelihoods and improved health outcomes.
Bradshaw also said BSP’s growth has always been intertwined with the nation’s progress.
“It’s important to remember that 83% of our shareholders are everyday Papua New Guineans, through their superannuation funds, landowner holding companies and local investments. When BSP succeeds, it is the people of PNG who benefit, as wealth and opportunity flow back into households, communities and the wider economy,” he said.
As PNG looks ahead to its next 50 years, BSP has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering people, growing communities and creating prosperity that will endure across the country for years to come. The “50for50 – Givim Bek” initiative is both a celebration of the nation’s journey and a symbol of its aspirations.
