Story perspectives

Papua New Guinea Secures $120M Google Cable Project

12/12/2025

Center

Google's Infrastructure Investment

Papua New Guinea announced December 12, 2025 that Alphabet's Google will build three subsea cables funded by Australia under the Pukpuk Treaty, costing $120 million.
The cables will link Papua New Guinea's northern and southern regions with Bougainville, strengthening nation's digital infrastructure.
Acting Minister Peter Tsiamalili said initiative advances digital security and regional stability, and it aligns with Australia's and the U.S.'s strategic interests in countering China in the Pacific.

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IMF Supports Papua New Guinea

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) supports Papua New Guinea's fiscal repair and governance improvements, with the deficit dropping from 4.3% of GDP in 2023 to 3.4% in 2024.
Australia, Papua New Guinea's largest creditor, plays a vital role in ensuring the reform program's success while managing political constraints.
The central bank is adjusting currency policy to alleviate foreign exchange shortages, and the gains must be sustained amid fluctuating commodity prices.

History

Historical Context

The Pukpuk Treaty, signed on October 6, 2025, solidified defense ties between Papua New Guinea and Australia, enhancing military cooperation and allowing Australian access to PNG bases. This agreement follows decades of close relations since PNG's independence in 1975 and aims to counter China's influence in the Pacific, reflecting a strategic shift in regional geopolitics.

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Google's Infrastructure Investment

Papua New Guinea announced December 12, 2025 that Alphabet's Google will build three subsea cables funded by Australia under the Pukpuk Treaty, costing $120 million.
The cables will link Papua New Guinea's northern and southern regions with Bougainville, strengthening nation's digital infrastructure.
Acting Minister Peter Tsiamalili said initiative advances digital security and regional stability, and it aligns with Australia's and the U.S.'s strategic interests in countering China in the Pacific.

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