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.