03rd May 2016 The Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) elected for the first time a Tongan to be the association’s president for the next three years.
Deputy CEO of Tonga Communication Corporation, Mr Sione Veikoso took up the role as the association’s 5th president after their annual general meeting in Tahiti last week.
In his role as the new president, Veikoso said he has plans to realign PITA to the best interests of its members.
“I would like to review the current vision and missions to ensure that we realign PITA to the best interests of its members and taking into consideration the fast pace of technologies and its impact on telecom industries and markets in the Pacific Islands, also to design strategies that will generate most benefits to PITA members and maintain sustainability of PITA strategically,” he said.
Veikoso stated that there were number of areas that he needed to highlight in the next three years.
“Important areas to consider includes ensuring that the operation is sustainable within the financial capacity of PITA, continuously drive and encouraging collaborations within the members to drive the needs of its members through forever changing telecom industry and its market and to conduct trainings and programs to ensure that PITA members contributes to the growth of their country’s economy through migrating to Digital Economy that is Managing National Assets and processes through the use of ICT.”
Veikoso extended his gratitude to everyone who supported him to achieve this significant role.
“First of all I would like to thank God for this blessing. Secondly, I would like to thank all PITA members for their trust and confidence in me and I will commit to do my best at all time. I also extend my sincere thanks to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for MEIDECC and his team who were attending a Ministerial Conference during the PITA AGM as well as the Chairman of TCC Board of Director for their support.”
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of MEIDECC Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni also attended the meeting.
He said the meeting was an opportunity for private sectors and government to work closely to develop telecom industries in the Pacific.
PITA is a non-Profit organization with total members of 172 consisted of 43 full members, 14 Governmental members and 115 associate members.
It was established in 1996 aimed to improve, facilitate, share experience and provide telecommunication services within its members and its associated member’s countries.
PITA members are telecommunications entities in Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia, Australia and New Zealand. Associated members are suppliers of telecommunication equipment and services. Governmental members include regulatory entities and policy makers in member countries. It also includes partners which are regional and international organizations like APT, ITU and others.
The next PITA forum will be hosted by the Cook Islands.
END
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications
