10 December 2002
Smart State Technology At Work In PNG
Port Moresby: Premier Peter Beattie
has congratulated Brisbane-based technology firm, Exa-Min Technologies on
winning a $250,000 World Bank tender to develop software for use by the Papua
New Guinea Department of Mines.
Premier Peter Beattie, who is on a trade mission to Papua New Guinea, said the
tender for developing software for managing exploration and mining licences was
awarded under the World Bank's Mining Sector Institutional Strengthening
Project.
"This is another example of the Smart State in action and I am pleased to
see a Queensland company competing successfully on a global basis," Mr
Beattie said.
"This project will improve the regulation of exploration and mining
projects in PNG.
"It will also help the PNG Government to secure technically, socially and
environmentally sustainable private sector investment in the mining industry.
"Exa-Min's success with the World Bank tender shows that small Queensland
companies have the expertise and know-how to win prestigious technology
assignments against intense international competition," Mr Beattie said.
The announcement follows the awarding of a $1.8 million contract to
Townsville-based technology company, Terra Search, under the same World Bank
scheme earlier this year.
"Terra Search will develop and install data management and geographical
information systems and train local staff in data capture and management,"
Mr Beattie said.
"Already, Terra Search is investigating other projects in Papua New
Guinea."
Papua New Guinea has extensive natural resources and world-class mineral
deposits.
Its mining sector accounts for 75 per cent of exports in dollar terms and over
25 per cent of Gross Domestic Product.
"Queensland companies have the capacity to be of great assistance to Papua
New Guinea's development through projects funded by aid agencies," Mr
Beattie said.
"We enjoy a warm friendship with Papua New Guinea and have a long trading
history because of our close proximity and the size of our respective
expatriate communities.
"And now our Smart State technology means we can offer Papua New Guinea an
ideal working partnership for the benefit of both economies," Mr Beattie
said.
Media contact: Anne Delaney 07 3224 4500