Bank South Pacific’s corporate general manager Daniel Faunt noted that BSP’s commitment to supporting businesses like Air Niugini is reflected in this project. Faunt added that simplifying and modernising payment systems creates benefits for all parties involved, from corporate partners to individual customers.

Air Niugini chief financial officer Judy Kuk said that transitioning from a manual to an automated system strengthens compliance, accuracy, and reporting. Seddon concluded that this initiative, combined with Oracle Fusion technology, will ensure faster, more dependable transactions for suppliers, contractors, and customers.
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• ​​Kina Bank Addresses Transfer Issues Affecting External Bank Transactions

Customers who have access to Personal Online Banking and Corporate Online Banking for current-dated transactions are encouraged to continue using these services for transfers to other banks while the issue is being resolved.

Kina Bank has assured customers that resolving the problem is a priority and that they will provide updates once the issue is fixed.

The bank apologized for any inconvenience caused and thanked customers for their understanding.

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Masiu emphasized that affordable connectivity is crucial for improving lives and fostering economic growth. He also noted that the entry of new players like Vodafone has significantly transformed the telecommunications sector, making services and devices more affordable.

Vodafone’s regional CEO, Pradeep Lal, reported that the company has invested approximately K3 billion in building a robust network in PNG. This includes four data centers and over 800 towers, with an additional 88 planned. Vodafone has surpassed one million subscribers, capturing about 25% of the market share and achieving 70% smartphone penetration among its subscribers.

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• Fighting Cybercrime in Papua New Guinea

The Government of Papua New Guinea has expressed strong support for the draft convention. In a statement released on Sunday, the Ministry for Information and Communications Technology endorsed the convention, highlighting its importance in strengthening global cybersecurity efforts. This support follows a recent ruling by the PNG Supreme Court, which confirmed that the Cybercrime Code Act 2016 complies with Section 46 on Freedom of Expression, allowing for the prosecution of malicious or defamatory content.

Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Timothy Masiu, described the convention as a critical step forward in the global fight against cybercrime. “For Papua New Guinea, this convention will provide a unified framework that will not only strengthen our national laws but also enable us to cooperate more effectively with other nations in combating the growing threat of cybercrime,” Masiu stated.

The draft convention outlines key objectives, including bolstering international cooperation, facilitating timely and lawful collection and sharing of electronic evidence, and establishing a comprehensive legal framework for member states. These goals align with Papua New Guinea’s commitment to enhancing its cybersecurity capabilities and protecting its digital infrastructure.

Masiu also emphasized the importance of supporting developing countries in building their capacity to respond to cybercrime. He affirmed that Papua New Guinea is committed to both benefiting from and contributing to global capacity-building initiatives under the convention.

As the draft convention advances to the UN General Assembly for adoption, Papua New Guinea will work towards ratifying the convention and aligning its domestic laws with its provisions. This will involve collaboration with multilateral, bilateral, and civil society partners to ensure effective implementation.

“We are proud to be part of this landmark international effort and will continue to work closely with our global partners to enhance cybersecurity for all,” Masiu concluded. He also recognized the contributions of the PNG delegation, led by Ambassador Fred Sarufa, and NICTA Chief Legal Officer Oala Moi.

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The prototype is ready for further development pending government approval. Once operational, the app will be available for download on both iOS and Android smartphones. Kumis highlighted the app’s potential to facilitate voting from home without intimidation or coercion. “Counting and declaration can be done within minutes by pushing a button on the app,” he said.

Kumis believes the application could significantly reduce election fraud, voter intimidation, violence, bribery, and legal disputes related to elections. He also noted the financial benefits, estimating a reduction in election costs from over K1 billion to less than K100 million, thereby saving the Government of Papua New Guinea and the PNG Electoral Commission approximately K900 million for other developmental needs.

The application will be hosted on secure and encrypted cloud platforms such as Google or Amazon. An administration center based in Australia will oversee the project to prevent local manipulation, with support centers in PNG providing assistance.

Voting will be conducted through biometric verification using custom-made tablets for facial and fingerprint recognition. The system is also designed to streamline census processes by automatically updating demographic information.

Kumis compared the system to Australia’s MyGov App and the United States’ Social Security System, aiming to provide accurate data to support national development goals. “I hope to hear from the right people to see if we can bring this project to fruition so we can help our country move forward,” he said, inviting support and collaboration to make this ambitious project a reality.

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