Palau with Australia, Japan and the US are celebrating an important milestone towards enhanced internet connectivity. On 6 June 2022, the Pre-Lay Shore End (PLSE) of the second submarine fibre optic cable commenced at the Ngardmau Dock, representing the first stage of the cable lay. This initial section of cable will ultimately be connected to the ECHO submarine cable system, connecting Singapore to the United States. Once operational, the system will contribute to Palau’s communications infrastructure by securing internet connectivity.

This is the first project under the Trilateral Partnership for Infrastructure Investment in the Indo-Pacific, where Australia is working with Japan, the United States and in collaboration with partner governments to deliver critical infrastructure projects in the region that are financially sustainable, climate resilient and inclusive, and create economic opportunities in host countries. The Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific, alongside DFAT’s bilateral aid program, are financing Australia’s approximately USD10 million contribution.

The Prime Minister of Australia and Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea met to announce the Papua New Guinea Port Investment Program between Australia, Papua New Guinea and PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNGPCL), building on a Memorandum of Understanding agreed between the parties in June last year.

Ports are critical for connectivity and economic growth in Papua New Guinea, which relies heavily on coastal trade and maritime access to essential goods and services. Australia’s investment includes an upgrade of Lae Port – Papua New Guinea’s largest – to position it as a premier transhipment hub for the Pacific, benefiting not only Papua New Guinea, but the region.

The investment will improve trade and connectivity in the region and help with Papua New Guinea’s longer-term development as well as its immediate COVID-19 recovery, building on Australia’s long track record of delivering quality infrastructure in Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea Port repairs and upgrades to improve trade, connectivity and commercial capacity | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Women (archived link)

For more information contact aiffp@dfat.gov.au

*Updated AUD figure based on exchange rate: 1.0AUD/0.70USD

The East Micronesia Cable Project will connect Kosrae (FSM), Nauru and Tarawa (Kiribati) to the existing HANTRU-1 cable at Pohnpei (FSM) and provide faster, higher quality, and more reliable and secure internet connectivity to these countries.

Australia, through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), is partnering with Japan and the United States to provide financing and implementation support to the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati, and Nauru for this Project.

Improved connectivity and access to digital technologies can provide significant economic and social benefits and are key enablers of sustainable development. They also help increase the availability of digital government services, particularly in education and health, and provide businesses and households with improved access to services, information and trade, and employment opportunities.

This project adds to Australia’s portfolio of investments in the critical telecommunications sector, which also includes the Coral Sea Cable System, the Palau Submarine Cable and the front-end engineering design for the Timor-Leste South Sea Cable.

Improving East Micronesia telecommunications connectivity | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Women (archived link)

For more information contact aiffp@dfat.gov.au