Datec PNG has appointed Preetam Talukdar as acting chief executive officer effective 12 January, following the departure of former acting CEO Russell Tato.
Talukdar, who currently serves as chief operating officer, brings extensive leadership experience across technology, telecommunications and enterprise ICT solutions in Papua New Guinea and the wider Asia-Pacific region. Since joining Datec, he has played a key role in strengthening operational performance, driving customer-centric initiatives and supporting the company’s strategic growth agenda.
Prior to joining Datec PNG in October 2024, Talukdar served as general manager for corporate services at Digitec ICT for four years. He has held senior leadership roles in global telecommunications and technology organisations, including Airtel, British Telecom, Telstra India and Reliance Global Cloud Xchange.
“I am honoured by the Board’s trust and grateful for the opportunity to lead Datec PNG during this period,” Talukdar said. “I look forward to working closely with our people, customers, and partners to continue delivering innovative technology solutions and strengthening Datec’s position as PNG’s leading ICT provider.”
Three pillars for transition
Talukdar said his immediate priorities over the next three to six months would centre on three pillars — employees, clients, and technology partners and suppliers — aligning with Datec PNG’s 2030 Vision.
“As Acting CEO, my immediate priorities over the next three to six months are centred on three pillars — our Employees, our Clients, and our Technology Partners & Suppliers. These are not short-term focus areas; they are the foundational drivers of Datec PNG’s 2030 Vision,” he said.
“The next three to six months are about reinforcing the core ecosystem that will carry us to 2030,” he added.
Talukdar believes that strong people drive strong execution and strong client relationships drive sustainable revenue, and strong partnerships drive innovation and market leadership.
“By anchoring our immediate actions around these three centres of gravity, we are not simply managing transition — we are deliberately building momentum toward Datec PNG’s 2030 Vision,” he said.
Rising demand for digital solutions
Talukdar said demand for enterprise ICT and digital solutions in PNG is poised for accelerated growth over the next three to seven years as organisations shift from traditional infrastructure to digital-first operations.
He identified accelerated cloud adoption, cybersecurity as a boardroom priority, digital transformation and process automation, and reliable connectivity and edge infrastructure as key technology trends.
Sectors presenting strong growth opportunities for Datec PNG include banking and financial services, government and state-owned enterprises, natural resources — including mining, energy, oil and gas — as well as education, healthcare and telecommunications.
Focus on operational discipline
During the transition period, operational discipline will be central to sustaining growth while maintaining service quality, Talukdar said.
“During this transition period, operational discipline will be central to ensuring that Datec PNG not only sustains growth but also scales efficiently while maintaining service quality,” he said.
Key focus areas include service delivery excellence, operational efficiencies, revenue and commercial discipline, cybersecurity and risk management, and employee productivity.
Investing in local talent
Talukdar underscored Datec PNG’s commitment to developing local talent across its geographically distributed workforce.
“Absolutely—100%! Of our 260-strong team at Datec, only 7% are expatriates, while an impressive 93% are homegrown PNG talent. This reflects our strong commitment to nurturing local capability,” he said.
To accelerate leadership development, the company has engaged an external consultant for the 2026 financial year to train a select group of 35 employees as part of its succession plan.
Datec PNG will also launch its Graduate Programme this year, offering university and business school students internship placements across various business units, with top performers transitioning into full-time roles.
Continuity with transformation
Continuity under his leadership will mean “delivering consistency, reliability, and trust while driving purposeful transformation across Datec PNG”, Talukdar said.
“We will strengthen operational discipline, empower local talent, and maintain deep client relationships, ensuring our core values remain intact,” he said.
“To differentiate, we will focus on end-to-end digital transformation, industry-specific solutions, and managed cloud and cybersecurity services, positioning Datec as the partner of choice for PNG enterprises, BFSI and Govt/SoEs. By combining proven expertise with innovation, we turn continuity into a platform for sustained growth and market leadership,” he added.
The board expressed confidence in Talukdar’s ability to provide strong leadership and continuity during the transition, while maintaining focus on operational discipline, stakeholder engagement and long-term value creation.
