PNG delegation visits Taipei for ICT workshop

Representatives of 10 ADOC partner economies 

As PNG aspires to be a modern nation by negotiating modernity with its old traditions, there is the issue of widening gaps between haves and have nots. The government of PNG made greater investments for financial inclusions and other necessary social, political and economic development drivers. One such important driver is the information communications technology (ICT). However, little effort has been given to the ICT industry over the years. Let alone no specific ICT regulatory mechanisms in place. Though out the world, ICT had made life easier for many, providing the platform for countries to realise their economic growth objectives. PNG however lags behind in the development of ICT industry.

Driven by forces of globalization, PNG needs to address the issue of digital inclusion. More and more citizens of PNG are now exposed to digital devices that they either use for personal or commercial uses. With better education, the digital exposure can be turned into digital opportunity.

ICT inclusions was key issue discussed in the recently conclude workshop held in Taipei from August 15^th to 16^th, 2013. The workshop brought together ten economies who are partners of APEC ADOC (APEC Digital Opportunity Centre). Asia Pacific Economic Forum is the body

Presented in the workshop were Australia, USA, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Thailand, China, Japan, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Taiwan.

The three member PNG delegation was led by director of finance in Prime Minister’s Department Mr. Gia Huk. The other two were the ADOC PNG chief coordinator, Mr. David Decker and a journalist from Pacific Business Review Newspaper who represented the mass media.

The two day workshop saw critical issues being discussed under the current prevailing ICT policies in respective ten ADOC.

PNG though lacking relevant ICT policies to drive the digital inclusions agendas, its intention to shares ideas and expertise where necessary for a digital inclusive nation was made known by director Mr. Gia Huk, director of finance who represented Prime Ministers department. Mr. Huk in his presentation highlighted the problems in PNG hindering the process of digital inclusion. Key areas pointed out by Mr. Huk included lack of infrastructures, geographical limitations and no relevant ICT policy mechanisms to boost the growth of ICT industry to bridge the digital divide among, man, old and young, children and handicapped and to turn those into digital opportunity.

The limitations imposed by age, gender, health, social or educational status are not only experienced in PNG. This is a global issue and addressing the digital divide and turning it into digital opportunity is now being seriously pursued by most ADOC partner economics that attended the workshop.

The two days workshop concluded on uncompromising note with Japan representative Dr. Toshio Obi coming down hard on ADOC finding solutions to the issue if financing and sustainability of ADOC projects in the ten member economies. The hard stand by the Japanese dragged USA and Australia into an uncompromising stand. The notion to financing and sustaining the ADOC projects in the ten member economies were left to the individual economies.

Field visits where organised for the delegation to see the ADOC centres in Taiwan. The two ADOC centres visited were Jhongliao and Sinmin Digital Opportunity Centre then to World Expo Taiwan Pavilion.

The visitors were given a real taste of Taiwanese culture, agriculture, and commerce. Traditional performance as well as project presentations were made, sending the visitors away with rich yet, rewarding experiences in Taiwan.