Hosted by Mark Baker, President of the Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council, the three-day forum was an excellent opportunity for SMEC to network with businesses, government agencies and other interested parties active in promoting trade and investment between Australia and Papua New Guinea. Guests of honour were Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who sent thru a message to the participants, and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, who was also present at the conference venue.
“The event was very effective in bringing together Papua New Guinea organisations under one roof. SMEC was very excited to reconnect with existing clients and explore opportunities with prospective partners who like SMEC are committed to pursuing sustainable infrastructure projects that will boost Papua New Guinea’s economic and employment growth,” said Zahid Iqbal, Regional Manager Pacific, who was present at the forum along with Nash Kobarajah, Country Manager Papua New Guinea.
SMEC has operated in Papua New Guinea since 1976 and has undertaken a number of projects in the country, including the Management of Transport Sector Support Program Phase 2, Civil Aviation Development Investment Program Technical Assistance, Dam Design Verification and Construction Management and Bulolo Water Supply Project Concept and Detailed Design for Taun Creek.
Pictured in main image and above: Zahid Iqbal, Regional Manager Pacific, with Nash Kobarajah, Country Manager, Papua New Guinea
SMEC has been engaged by the Ministry of Water & Environment of Uganda to undertake design review and construction supervision for critical water projects across Namasale, Koboko, Kaliro-Namungalwe and Rukungiri.
The Australian and NSW Governments are investing in the widening and upgrade of the section of Maitland Road between Newcastle Inner City Bypass and Hexham Bridge known as ‘Hexham Straight’.
Habibie Razak, Regional Manager for SMEC Indonesia, recently presented SMEC’s expertise on quantity surveying to the 2023 ASEAN Quantity Surveying Association (AQSA) Congress. The event was held in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia on 16-17 May 2023. The theme of this year’s congress was “Envisioning Sustainability and Digitalisation in ASEAN Construction Industry”.