New Delhi: The PNG India Business Council Inc (PNGIBC) and the Space Industry Association of India (SIA-India) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 23, 2026, establishing a framework for collaboration in the space industry and related sectors.
The agreement was signed one week before Papua New Guinea’s 51st Independence anniversary celebrations. It signals a commitment by both organisations to strengthen institutional, commercial and technological links between PNG and India.
Under the MoU, PNGIBC and SIA-India will promote cooperation among government agencies, businesses, investors, educational institutions, research organisations and other industry stakeholders. The partnership will focus on targeted delegation visits, business-to-business engagement, knowledge exchange, capacity building and investment opportunities.
The organisations intend to support the development of Papua New Guinea’s space industry through practical applications designed to address the country’s geographic and development challenges. Proposed areas include satellite-based telecommunications, remote education and healthcare, financial technology, maritime services, fisheries, forestry, mining, oil and gas and geospatial data.
The agreement specifically identifies opportunities to use low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO) and geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite systems to improve connectivity in remote parts of PNG. It also envisages partnerships between PNG’s private and public sectors to design, build, own, operate and manage satellite communications infrastructure.
Inclusive fintech services delivered through satellite connectivity could help extend affordable financial access to isolated communities. In the maritime sector, space-enabled technologies could support shipping logistics, fisheries management and wider maritime-domain requirements.
Remote sensing and geospatial applications are expected to assist forestry, mining and oil and gas operations, while satellite connectivity could strengthen access to education and healthcare services in locations where terrestrial infrastructure is limited.
Both parties will also encourage training programmes, webinars, educational initiatives and collaboration among startups, academic institutions, research bodies and established companies. They will exchange information on emerging space technologies, regulatory developments, satellite communications, remote sensing and navigation services.
The MoU provides for mutual participation in conferences, exhibitions, seminars, workshops, business missions and networking events. It also calls for the identification of potential partners for joint ventures and strategic collaborations, as well as the dissemination of relevant commercial and industry opportunities through the two organisation’s networks.
PNGIBC and SIA-India said their shared objective is to produce time-bound solutions that could position Papua New Guinea as a pioneer and leader in the space sector among developing Pacific Island nations.
The initiative follows strategic policy announcements made during the Forum for India and Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) summits. Those engagements included the first visit by a PNG prime minister to India in August 2015 and the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Papua New Guinea in May 2023.
The MoU notes PNG’s location near the equator as a potential advantage for satellite communications and the management of earth stations. Its geographic position could also support space-enabled maritime logistics and communications serving the wider Asia-Pacific region.
The agreement will remain in effect for an initial two-year period from September 23, 2026 and may be renewed for another two years. Either party may terminate it by providing at least one month’s written notice.
The MoU is not intended to create binding legal or financial obligations. Specific initiatives may instead be developed through supplementary agreements between the parties.
SIA-India Director General Anil Prakash and PNGIBC President Mahadevan Shankar signed the document on behalf of their respective organisations.
PNGIBC has invited businesses in Papua New Guinea to visit www.pngibc.org and contact its industry-group convenors or executive committee members about expanding into India, forming partnerships and attracting investment into PNG.
