Developing rural communities through out the APEC region through Regional Economic Integration and Connectivity was an highlight at the APEC Study Centers Consortium Conference 2018 (ASCC2018) during the Second Senior Officials Meetings and Related Meetings at the International Convention Centre in Port Moresby.
During the consortium, researchers and analysts provided insight and the way forward for what benefits PNG can attain and the many challenges it faces along with other economies within the APEC.
Elai Soutai a Papua New Guinean researcher and an analyst for the Abt Associates PNG presented his paper on the impact of APEC on rural Papua New Guinea.
Mr Soutai whose research paper titled “The Impact of APEC to rural communities and how APEC will contribute to PNG’s development goal” said the short term benefits experienced today was the least of his concerns as it is the long term ones that he would like consortium to pay close attention to.
He said the long-term benefits would take years to implement and implied that the policy makers had a tremendous task of bringing the rural communities on board the development process.
He said from comparing the research papers presented by the member economy speakers, he pointed out that Philippines displayed a realistic case study for PNG to use as an example of an economy who is grasping the potential in digital economy at the rural level.
Elai also said the research paper presented by De La Salle University researcher Justin Eloriga on Alleviation of Income and a sustainable economy through digital inclusiveness can provide a basis for PNG’s current approach on harnessing the digital future.
