China and ITU pledges more closer ICT Cooperation with Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea Minister for Information & Communication Technology, Hon. Timothy Masiu, in a media release yesterday from Shenzhen China, stated that he is very pleased with the commitment for more 'closer cooperation' by the Chinese Government and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) with Papua New Guinea.

“As I prepare to depart China this afternoon for South Korea, I am quite pleased with the commitment and offer of support from the People’s Republic of China and the ITU in the ICT space in PNG,” Mr Masiu said.

The Minister attended and addressed a 2-day seminar jointly hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Industry & Information Technology (MIIT) and the ITU on ‘Building a Digital Future for All,’ and the 2023 BRICS Forum on ‘Future Networks Innovation.’

“Apart from the resounding support I got from the participants on a stronger Pacific voice in international ICT organizations like the ITU and the UN, I was able to secure more ICT projects for the country.

“During our bilateral meeting on Monday (04/09/23), the Chinese Vice Minister for MIIT, Hon Zhang Yunming committed further cooperation with the PNG Department of Information and Communication Technology as it (DICT) progresses its ICT transformation agenda.

“Minister Zhang also asked senior officials to fast track the signing of the MoU between DICT and the MIIT so we can pursue further areas of cooperation in ICT,” Minister Masiu said.

Minister Zhang also announced another 10 Chinese study scholarships for PNG students to take up.

Minister Masiu also met with ITU Director of Telecommunication Development Bureau, Dr Cosmos Zavazava who also pledged the ITU’s support for the setting up of the ITU Regional Sub-Office in the Pacific Region, consistent with the Lakatoi Declaration in Port Moresby.

Dr Zavazava also announced five (5) ‘connect the schools’ projects for PNG.

The ITU also committed the ITU to deploy early disaster warning systems for PNG.

The Minister will depart China today (Wednesday 06/09/23) for Seoul, South Korea to attend the GSMA Mobile Policy Leaders’ Forum, before he travels to Bangkok for the ITU Regional Development Forum for Asia Pacific.

Meanwhile, the Minister has directed the NBC Managing Director to meet with and visit the Chinese companies and factories associated with the current NBC Analogue to Digital (A2D) migration project.

Minister Masiu and his team visited the Shenzhen regional office of China State China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), the company contracted to develop the A2D project.

“I am also quite satisfied with the project update I received from the company yesterday.

"The Marape-Rosso Government has placed a lot of emphasis on this project and I will ensure it is completed successfully, on time and within budget.

“The company has assured me that the Project is on track for completion by July 2024,” the Minister said.

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