Businessman urges govt to embrace technology

By SAMUEL BARIASI
A LOCALLY-Owned company that imports and sells used vehicles wants the PNG Ports, PNG Customs and commercial banks to maintain an electronic system of processing and approving documents after the lockdown period.
USA Direct PNG owner and operator Walter Yauieb said the lockdown had prompted banks and several relevant Government institutions to operate electronically.
“Hopefully, we learn from this and maintain, or improve from our current systems of operating,” he said.
Yauieb said his businesses was not really affected by the lockdown.
“The only way that the lockdown has affected the business is the streamlining of how the processes run,” he said.
“When you go to Naqia (National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority) or PNG Ports now, you won’t be standing at the counter waiting to be served, everything is now being done electronically.
“Documents that need filling and signing can be printed, filled, scanned and sent electronically.”
He also said that everybody should start doing online banking because it was more convenient.
“No one should be carrying cash around.”
“We can use our bank cards as much as possible.”
Yauieb said about half of the processes in conducting business in the country could be communicated without physical presence.