Friday 26 April 2024
ICT Minister Timothy Masiu inside Indonesia’s Telecommunications Equipment Testing Laboratory.
Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Hon. Timothy Masiu, led his delegation on a site visit to Indonesia’s state-of-the-art Telecommunications Equipment Testing Laboratory yesterday (Thursday 25 April).
The site visit was on an invitation by the Minister for Communication and Informatics of Indonesia H.E Budi Arie Setiadi on Thursday 25 April, following the presentation of the Draft MoU for ICT corporation.
The delegation was warmly received and introduced to the advanced facility by Mr. Syahrudin Buyung, Head of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) Indonesia.
Mr. Buyung emphasized the pivotal role of BPPT in ensuring the conformity of telecommunications equipment with national standards, expressing hope that the visit would mark the beginning of a positive relationship between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, paving the way for future mutual cooperation in advancing ICT standards and technologies.
Mr Masiu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage with Indonesian counterparts at the ministerial level, highlighting the importance of border collaboration in addressing challenges such as frequency interference and roaming issues.
“We are breaking new ground and ensuring progress into the future, as today, the world is technology-driven,” Minister Masiu stated, emphasizing the potential for mutual learning and growth between the two nations.
The Chief Executive Office of the National Information and Communication Authority (NICTA) Kila Gulo-Vui, underscored the significance of collaboration in advancing ICT standards, expressing interest in exploring Indonesia’s advanced testing capabilities.
“Your capacity here goes beyond that, and it is very interesting for us to explore,” Gulo-Vui remarked, highlighting ongoing discussions with Australian counterparts for mutual recognition arrangements in terminal testing.
Deputy Secretary for Policy and Emerging Technology, with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Mr. Flierl Shongol, acknowledged Indonesia’s strides in digital transformation, noting parallels with PNG’s digital economy initiatives.
“We stand to learn from Indonesia, especially in digital government and empowering businesses and SMEs,” Mr. Shongol affirmed, citing Indonesia’s innovative approaches in inspiring growth within the small to medium enterprise (SME) sector.
Through continued collaboration, new pathways for partnership in ICT are poised to unlock opportunities for economic growth and innovation on both sides.
ICT Minister Timothy Masiu inspecting Indonesia’s state-of-the-art Telecommunications Equipment Testing Laboratory yesterday (Thursday 25 April).