China Eximbank provides RMB 499 million government concessional loan for Digital TV Transformation Project

On November 8, 2021, China Eximbank and the Government of Papua New Guinea signed an RMB 499 million government concessional loan agreement for the Digital TV Transformation Project. The borrowing terms of the GCL are unknown. However, it is known that the borrower is expected to use the proceeds of the GCL to finance 100% of the cost of an RMB 499 million ($69.28 million) commercial contract between China State Construction Engineering Corporation PNG Limited and the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) of Papua New Guinea, which was signed on March 27, 2020. The purpose of this project is to fully upgrade PNG's existing analog signal TV system, and transform it into an ‘end-to-end’ digital TV system covering its major cities in 10 provinces with a full-link system that starts from program production and ends with user viewing. It will seek to provide high-quality digital TV services for local people, consolidate the foundation of digital information construction in PNG, and accelerate the pace of modernization and application of digital technology. The project will also involve establishing the main NBC transmission station 25 kilowatt to power the MW transmission signal in the country and it will be stationed in Lae, Morobe Province. China State Construction Engineering Corporation PNG Limited is the contractor responsible for implementation. Project implementation commenced in June 2022. The project was originally expected to reach completion within 18 months.

Additional details

1. This project is also known as the Analogue to Digital Migration Project. The Chinese project title is 巴布亚新几内亚数字电视改造项目 or 巴布亚新几内亚数字电视项目.

Number of official sources

6

Number of total sources

13