Potential for ICT sector to drive economic growth

The National Main Stories

By PETER ESILA
Apec Ambassador Ivan Pomaleu said the Papua New Guinea’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector is less developed but it has the potential to drive significant economic growth.
He said also said ICT invironment in PNG was less developed when compared to most of the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) economies.
Pomaleu welcomed delegates to the Apec telecommunications and information working group meeting in Port Moresby yesterday.
He said Apec’s overall agenda of harnessing future economic growth would rely on unlocking the potential of other sectors and developing a modern economy through the effective use of ICT.
He said this was reflected in the Apec theme which was harnessing inclusive opportunities, embracing the digital future.
Pomaleu said the government recognised that ICT had the potential to drive significant economic growth in the country, deliver great benefits to citizens and transform the delivery of government services.
Some of the initiatives that the government has taken include:

  • A new international submarine cable between Port Moresby and Sydney being in the scoping stage and expected to significantly improve international connectivity;
  • domestic submarine cable linking Port Moresby to 11 other centres in PNG, with an interconnection to Indonesia being in the planning stage and expected to improve connectivity and backhaul availability around PNG;
  • neutral Internet Exchange Point established in Port Moresby in 2017 after three years of development;
  • computer emergency response team for PNG established in

February to respond to cyber-security incidents. They continue to address connectivity challenges through universal access programme; and,

  • Reformed telecommunications assets of the government by merging the Telikom PNG, bmobile and DataCo.

“While we are moving on with infrastructure developments, service roll-out and uptake, there is still gaps in the policy and legal frameworks that are required to guide, support and create a safe and secure environment for our people to access and utilize ICT for development,” Pomaleu said.
The meeting will end on Friday.