Resource-rich Papua New Guinea is undergoing an unprecedented economic boom and massive technological transformation as the country’s national building vision becomes reality.

Playing a significant role in this growth is Heliwest which has won a two-year contract with major telecommunications operator Digicel for the construction of mobile phone towers across PNG.

Heliwest is Australia’s leading onshore helicopter service provider.

Heliwest’s Papua New Guinea partner company, Helifix, will provide skills transfer, training of PNG helicopter pilots and join Digicel in opening up opportunities for local employment.

Heliwest Chief Executive Officer David Grimes said he was excited such a respected telecommunications firm as Digicel had chosen Helifix to participate in such an extensive and important project. “The installation of communication towers across a country such as Papua New Guinea is a massive project given the largely inhospitable terrain where many of these structures will be located,” he said.

“However we believe our Bell 212 aircraft is ideal for this program, one that is so vital to Papua New Guinea’s nation building program.”

Digicel has 11-million customers across 32 markets worldwide.