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
Specialists from SMEC’s Water Resources team will deliver technical presentations at the 2023 Floodplain Management Australia National Conference in Sydney. The annual event has been hosted by the FMA for over 50 years, and is the most esteemed flood risk management forum of its kind in Australia.
The SMEC RITES JV has been overseeing the management and implementation of the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC) project since early 2022, with foundation stone laid in October 2022 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
SMEC has been engaged by DT Global, through the Australian Government-funded Economic and Social Infrastructure Program (ESIP), to undertake a feasibility study for the rehabilitation of the Pauanda Hydropower Project in Papua New Guinea.
SMEC’s bridge structures specialists are presenting technical papers at the 2023 Australian Small Bridges Conference, Australasia’s largest bridge exhibition, held on the Gold Coast, Australia. The Conference will feature a comprehensive exhibition, providing attendees the opportunity to view and discuss innovative products and services now available from bridge contractors, designers and suppliers.