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
Together with the Shahid Afridi Foundation, we were motivated to enhance and improve the quality of life for the residence of Lora Miana, Mulagori. The newly built filtration plant will encourage the community to adopt healthy habits, provide safe drinking water, and protect the more vulnerable from the risks of water-related hazards.
SMEC has partnered with Oriental Consultants Global (OCG) to assist the Department of Transport, Communications & Infrastructure of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in undertaking project prioritization, readiness, and pilot-testing to prepare for the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-financed Sustainable Road Infrastructure Investment Project (SRIIP).
SMEC has been engaged to supervise civil works for upgrading the Central Cross Island Road (CCIR) in Samoa. The CCIR is one of the main economic arteries on Upolu Island and one of several key roads damaged when Tropical Cyclone Evan struck the Pacific Island nation in 2012. The project is being carried out in association with local sub-consultant MMSM Ltd for the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Samoa and is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The Uzbekistan Ministry of Water Resources has appointed SMEC as Project Implementation Consultant for the Climate Adaptative Water Resources Management project. The project will combine investment from the Republic of Uzbekistan government and the Asian Development Bank to improve climate resilience in the Aral Sea Basin.