Pandemic driving technology

By GLORIA BAUAI
ONE of the benefits from the Covid-19 pandemic in PNG is the push in businesses for digital technology, an academic says.
Dr Tindi Nuru Seje, the director of teaching-learning methods unit at the University of Technology, said the pandemic compelled many to embrace technology in so many ways.
“Business models have changed,” he said.
“We have remote work setups, tele-conference, cashless payments.
“The Covid-19 has helped us on board technology on so many robust ways.”
Seje said many businesses in Papua New Guinea had gone online more than any time before.
“In these times, if you don’t go online, you die,” he said.
“It’s about adapting to the changes and you have to be open to these changes to survive. PNG is now at a cruising point in the digital space, almost ready to take off.”
But Seje said the banking centres still had space for growth when it came to areas of digital banking.
“Long queues are an indicator that many people are yet to be included in digital banking,” he said.
“Banking sector needs to up their game and expand into rural areas so we can allow those people who are in forgotten corners of Morobe, to be able to access digital banking.”
Seje said such awareness would allow people to see the benefits of on-boarding technology.