One-year Anniversary of the Fifth Constitutional Government

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MEDIA
RELEASE
August 16, 2013
Díli, Timor-Leste

The passing of the 8th of August has marked the one-year anniversary of the Fifth Constitutional Government of Timor-Leste.

On the 7th of July 2012 the Timorese people, voting in free and democratic elections, supported three parties to govern the nation from 2012 to 2017. Just over a month later, in the Solemn Hall in Lahane, at the Official Presidential Residence, the members of the Fifth Constitutional Government gathered to be sworn in by the President of the Republic, His Excellency Taur Matan Ruak.

The Prime Minister, His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, declared that the Government’s five-year mandate was a mandate for action and consequently the Council of Ministers met the following day and began what has indeed been a very active year since.

The Five Year Program of the Fifth Constitutional Government, fully aligned with Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan, was presented to National Parliament on the 12th of September 2012. Annual Action Plans for the State Budget, based on the five-year plan, were prepared by each Ministry. A supplementary Budget to accommodate the new structures in the Government was presented and passed.

The Government then turned to the detailed planning required for the 2013 Annual Budget with the Council of Ministers approving the Final Draft Budget on November the 20th and the official Budget approval given with a unanimous vote the National Parliament on the 18th of February 2013.

In the first twelve months of the Fifth Constitutional Government the Council of Ministers has approved the Organic Law of the Fifth Constitutional Government, the Five Year Program, 14 Decree Laws, 6 Proposed Laws, 17 Government Resolutions, 2 Proposed Resolutions as well as appointing 3 Electoral Commissioners and two members of the Superior Council of Magistracy. More than 15 other laws have been considered by the Council of Ministers with outcomes still pending.

Other activities undertaken by the CoM have included the oversight of national celebrations such as the 38th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence and National Celebrations 25-30th of November 2012, and analysis and response to commissioned reports including those on Education, Natural Disasters, the Special Social Market Economy Zone Oe-Cusse Project Pilot, Coordination Mechanisms for the SDP and Budget Execution.

The Council of Ministers has also over the one-year period considered over 50 Presentations given by various Ministries and State Institutions. These range from the presentation of plans such as the Dili Master Plan for Sanitation and Drainage, updates on key projects such as road rehabilitation, techniques proposed for the improvement Government systems and international issues such as Timor-Leste’s Accession to ASEAN, to name but a few.

To mark the anniversary Government members gathered for a three-day retreat to debate future plans, improve inter-ministerial coordination and consider the best ways to overcome obstacles.

Minister of State and Presidency of the Council of Ministers, His Excellency Agio Pereira, noted “while there is always more to do the one-year anniversary offers a moment to reflect on our achievements to date. The Council of Ministers of the Fifth Constitutional Government, spurred on by the call to action of the Prime Minister, began its mandate enthusiastically and has continued with a high pace and heavy workload. We continue to pledge ourselves to the overarching commitment of this Government as articulated by our Prime Minister: ‘to support and promote the development of Timor-Leste and strive to improve the living conditions of our people’”.
ENDS

Ágio Pereira+670 77045002agio.pereira@cdm.gov.tl
govtlmedia@gmail.com
www.timor-leste.gov.tl

Happy 38th Anniversary of FALINTIL

Graphic Photo: Ricardo Tilman

Happy Anniversary, FALINTIL and congratulation to the People of Timor Leste for the opening of another Electric Power Centre

Thank you, FALINTIL. Because of your sacrifices we now have freedom. You will always be remembered throughout this country's generation. Lest we Forget!

Former British PM Tony Blair Visited Timor Leste

Tony Blair meets Mari Alkatiri in Dili. Photo: Leonia Monteiro

Renova Timor - One of Timor Leste' diplomatic highlights for the month is the visit of Former British Prime Minister to Dili last Thursday, 15 August 2013. According to the Timorese counterpart, former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, Mr. Blair's visit was intended to provide cooperation and assistance to the ongoing national project of Special economic zone in Oecusse (ZEESM).

"The former PM Tony Blair also heard about ZEESM and he wanted to know more about it. He offered a team that would work closely with my team to speed up this economic plan and bring it up to international standard so as to attract more international investors" said Mr. Alkatiri to Jornal Nacional Diario (JND, 15/8).

Mr. Blair's visit is the first high British figure who have ever visited the 11 years old country. Last year, the US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton paid a short visit to Dili which she described it as a visit to fulfil her promise she made during the then President Ramos Horta's visit to US in the year before. But there are more things that can be said about the visit. With regards to Mrs. Clinton's visit, speculation continues in the media saying whether her visit was indeed a warning sign to Dili over its open door to China's growing influence in the country or just a mere promise fulfilment. Mr. Blair's visit also can be questioned whether it was purely incidental or only wanting to support the present government's economic development plan or something else. For instance, one could question who financed his private jet to Dili and what is Mr. Blair's connection with British Procurement company Charles Kendall and Partners (CK&P) which plays important role in Timor Leste's procurement office. 

Nonetheless, the former British PM's 5-hour visit to the young country could also be a sign of support to Mr. Gusmao's government (in spite of the pressure for changing its cabinet) that it is doing fine. It is also a positive sign to foreign investors that Timor Leste is a safe country and investment friendly now which they should invest their money in. Investors are, as usual, always worried about country risk as it would affect their long term investment and return. But Timor is nonetheless working on its weakness by providing public security, minimising political risk seen in the political convergence between the government and the opposition and increasing general population's purchasing power through public expenses and social welfares. The financial sector is organising itself and is decentralising its services to the districts as well.

In short, Mr. Blair's visit is a sign to the investors that if the Britain is there than why are not you be there too. 

Learning together in Timor-Leste - News and Events - University of Sydney

Learning together in Timor-Leste - News and Events - University of Sydney

University of Sydney Students in Timor Leste

Staff and students from the faculties of Agriculture and Environment, Education and Social Work, and Sydney Medical School have experienced first-hand how interdisciplinary collaboration is critical in tackling global challenges such as food security, thanks to a pilot program in Timor-Leste coordinated by the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre (SSEAC).

The nine students, three from each faculty, spent a week rotating through placements in a clinic, primary school and farm in the community of Maubisse. They took part in activities such as measuring children's arms to see if they were underweight, instructing children on healthy eating and assessing food production and distribution systems. In the evenings the group came together with academic supervisors to reflect on what they had learned - and the value of cross-disciplinary collaboration.

"This experience has equipped me with tools that'll enable me to teach in communities all around the world," said primary education student Paris Esposito. "The opportunity to work alongside medicine and agriculture students enabled inter-professional conversations that were rich, but also at times confronting."


Click here to read more...

East Timor’s central bank wants to expand country’s financial services

Photo: A.M. de Almeida Serra

AUGUST 5TH, 2013    NEWS

The Timor-Leste (East Timor) Central Bank Friday announced a project to develop a strategic plan to expand the country’s financial services with a view to reaching more of its citizens.

“The aim of the project is to develop, together with stakeholders, a strategic plan for East Timor’s financial system, taking into account that the country is moving towards an economy that encourages national and international investment and provide a greater number of citizens access to financial services,” said the statement.

According to the Central Bank’s statement, the project will take 10 years to implement and will include “concrete actions that allow the financial system to be a catalyst for economic growth.” (macauhub)

Australia expands Seasonal Workers Program for Pacific, East Timor

Updated Fri Aug 2, 2013 8:21pm AEST

PHOTO: About 1,500 seasonal workers were recruited by participating employers since the commencement of the Seasonal Worker Program in July 2012.

MAP: Pacific

Accommodation businesses across Western Australia will be able to employ seasonal labour from Pacific nations and East Timor under an extended initiative by the Australian Government.

The Australian Government has announced plans to expand part of its Seasonal Workers Program with the trial already underway in Broome, the Northern Territory, tropical Queensland, the Whitsundays Coast and Kangaroo Island.

Employment Minister Brendan O'Connor says the extension of the trial will allow accommodation businesses in Western Australia's tourism industry to hire seasonal workers from eight Pacific nations and East Timor at times of local labour shortages.

"Accommodation providers will benefit from being able to have the seasonal workers they need when they need them," Mr O'Connor said.

"Workers from some of our closest neighbours will benefit from the ability to earn good money to help their family and community back home."

Under the extended program, Australian employers with an unmet demand for low-skilled labour can recruit seasonal workers to work in positions including cafe workers, bar staff, kitchen hands and house keepers in the accommodation sector for a period of between 14 weeks and six months.

Minister for Tourism Gary Gray says the expansion of the program to Western Australia is a win for the state's tourism industry.

"A win for anyone wanting to visit the West and enjoy the fantastic tourism experiences we have because this program will ensure Western Australia's accommodation businesses can offer their very best service at peak season," Mr Gray said.

About 1,500 seasonal workers were recruited by participating employers since the commencement of the Seasonal Worker Program in July 2012.

The program also includes a trial in the Australian accommodation, aquaculture, cotton and cane sectors in selected regions.

Topics: travel-and-tourism, community-and-society, work, economic-trends, government-and-politics, small-business,business-economics-and-finance, tourism, pacific, australia

First posted Fri Aug 2, 2013 7:43pm AEST