PNG aims to be a leading provider of ICT in Pacific: Matainaho

PAPUA New Guinea plans to become a leading provider of information and communication technology (ICT) solutions in the South Pacific, an official says.
ICT Department secretary Steven Matainaho said this after the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Cluj IT Cluster of Romania. It will encourage cooperation in building the digital economy by establishing a cluster model in PNG.
The signing was witnessed by Matainaho and Cluj IT’s vice-president Daniel Homorodean.
Matainaho said the event marked an important step in collaboration between PNG and Romania in digital transformation and the digital economy perspective.
Cluj IT will provide support in the development of the PNG ICT incubator, development of the PNG clusterisation policy and of the PNG ICT cluster, development of the digital transformation strategies, public policies, standards and good practices and developing of business collaboration between companies in Romania and PNG.
“The project will position the Government as a client of many ICT solutions providers, preferably locals,” he said.
“The Department of ICT intends to use this investment to create an ecosystem in which local ICT SMEs with international partners innovate and provide solutions.
“In a State partnership with an international provider, it is the Government’s role to provide international exposure for local firms and grounds for knowledge acquisition.”