03/09/2026
Government Agencies Advance Digital Integration and Registry Modernisation for Better Public Services.
Port Moresby, 3 September 2026
Key government agencies have joined forces to advance digital integration and registry modernisation, aimed at delivering more connected, efficient and citizen-focused services across Papua New Guinea.
At a high-level stakeholder meeting convened on 2 September 2026 at the IRC Headquarters in Port Moresby, representatives from key government agencies met to explore opportunities for interoperability between their systems and to discuss a coordinated approach to digital transformation and registry modernisation.
The meeting was jointly chaired by Sam Loi, Acting Commissioner General of the IRC, and Clarence Hoot, Managing Director, IPA. attended by senior representatives from IPA, ICSA, MVIL, DCI and DICT.
The discussions focused on how agencies can work together to build secure digital connections between their respective systems, enabling more efficient information sharing, streamlined registration processes, improved data quality, and enhanced services for businesses and citizens.
Opening the meeting, the Acting Commissioner General highlighted the Government's vision for digital transformation and the importance of adopting a whole-of-government approach to digital service delivery.
He emphasized that successful digital integration must be underpinned by strong data governance, cybersecurity safeguards, and adherence to national digital policies.
He also stressed the importance of incorporating Digital ID, electronic signatures, and trusted online credentials into future systems to improve the integrity, security, and reliability of government registries.
The meeting provided an opportunity for participating agencies to present updates on their respective digital transformation initiatives and to outline future plans for delivering more accessible, efficient, and secure online services.
Participants agreed that modernising government registries and enabling interoperability across agencies will reduce duplication, improve data accuracy, strengthen compliance and validation processes, and provide a better experience for citizens and businesses interacting with government services.
A key component of the discussions was the proposed integration between the IRC's Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) and the IPA's business registration platform.
The proposed interface would enable the secure exchange of information, allowing real-time verification and synchronisation of business registration and taxpayer data.
This initiative is expected to improve data integrity, strengthen taxpayer registration and compliance, reduce manual processing, and support the Government's broader digital transformation agenda.
Speaking after the meeting, Clarence M. Hoot, Managing Director of the IPA, welcomed the collaborative discussions and described the engagement as an important first step toward a more integrated government digital ecosystem.
He noted that interoperability between agencies will enhance service delivery, strengthen information sharing, and support whole-of-government efficiency.
The meeting also explored opportunities to modernise additional government registries, including the Cooperatives Registry administered by the Department of Commerce and Industry. Participants noted that modernising legacy and paper-based systems will improve accessibility, efficiency, data management, and support future regulatory reforms.
The discussions acknowledged potential support from development partners, including the Asian Development Bank's Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (ADB-PSDI), subject to formal consideration and approval processes.
Participants agreed to continue engagement through technical consultations and collaborative planning to identify practical pathways for implementation.
The agencies also committed to maintaining a strong focus on data security, privacy protection, system integrity, and the adoption of common standards to support future digital integration initiatives.
The collaborative effort reflects the Government's commitment to building modern, connected and citizen-focused public services that support economic growth, improve compliance, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance the ease of doing business in Papua New Guinea.
Authorized for release by
Mr. Sam Loi
Acting Commissioner General
Internal Revenue Commission