Media Releases
- 22 of March of 2023Meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 22nd, 2023Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 22nd, 2023
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved a few amendments to the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Health, Odete Maria Freitas Belo, concerning the legal regime of commercialisation of breast milk substitutes.
This draft Decree-Law had already been approved in the meeting of the Council of Ministers on January 25th, 2023. However, in the final drafting phase, it was found necessary to introduce some changes.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Joaquim Amaral, which aims to extend the period for the distribution of the basic food basket established by Decree-Law no. 10/2022, of March 4th, which approved the measures to reinforce the distribution of the basic food basket to the Timorese families in need and to support local economic operators, and which established a special provisioning regime for this purpose, within the scope of the economic recovery plan.
With the approval of this Decree-Law, the deadline for the distribution of the food basket, previously set until May 30th, 2023, is extended until June 30th, 2023, and the distribution activity should be suspended during the election campaign period, legally set for the legislative elections scheduled for May 21st, 2023.
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The draft Law Proposal, presented by the Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Taur Matan Ruak, concerning the Traffic Code, has been approved.
The project aims to improve road prevention and safety and reduce traffic accidents in the country. In addition, the amendments are intended to provide greater legal protection to public road users, planning to overall adapt the current system to current needs in a search for balance between the growing demands posed by the continuous increase in traffic.
The legal rules applicable to traffic on public roads will be better harmonised and updated, matters relating to administrative offence proceedings have been densified and clarified, and the amounts of fines for violations of the Traffic Code and its regulations have been updated.
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Also approved was the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Petroleum and Minerals, Víctor da Conceição Soares, on the Conduct of Decommissioning Activities at the Bayu-Undan Field.
As the production lifespan of the production sharing contracts concluded between the members of the Bayu-Undan joint venture and the National Petroleum and Minerals Authority (ANPM - Portuguese acronym)comes to an end, it is necessary that all platforms, structures, gas or oil pipelines, as well as their associated structures and equipment, be decommissioned, as provided for in the Production Sharing Contracts.
This Decree-Law aims to establish a legal regime for exercising Decommissioning Activities in the Contract Area and onshore territory of Timor-Leste while protecting the health, safety, and environment of Timor-Leste and its people.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, and by the President of the Authority of the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno (RAEOA - Portuguese acronym), Arsenio Bano, concerning the Management of the RAEOA International Airport and airport infrastructure located in this region.
The Decree-Law establishes the legal framework for the public service of management, operation, maintenance, supervision and development of airport infrastructure in the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno, as provided for in the legislation in force.
The powers and prerogatives relating to the activities and services inherent to the aerodromes and airports of this region are transferred from the public company Administration of Airports and Air Navigation of Timor-Leste (ANATL, E.P.) to RAEOA. However, no attributions, competencies or rights of ANATL, E.P. related to air navigation and aeronautical meteorology are included in the Decree-Law.
Land and other real estate intended for civil aviation support facilities in the region form an integral part of the public airport domain and constitute state property directly allocated to the RAEOA.
The establishment and definition of aeronautical and administrative easements related to airport activities are subject to the approval of the RAEOA Authority.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Decree, presented by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, establishing the value of the trainer's remuneration supplement and the maximum number of hours that each civil servant or Public Service agent may teach annually and the conditions for its exercise.
This Government Decree aims to regulate the trainer's salary supplement established by Decree-Law 73/2022, of October 19th.
Thus, the Government defines that the hourly value of the trainer's remuneration corresponds to 100% of the hourly pay calculated under the Public Administration Remuneration Supplements Regime and the maximum number of hours per year that the trainer can deliver during the standard working period is 120.
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The Council of Ministers also approved the draft Government Resolution, also presented by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, determining, for the year 2023, the table of levels for public legal persons and personalised services covered by Decree-Law 92/2022, of December 22nd, to determine the remuneration of the members of their bodies.
As provided for in Decree-Law 92/2022, of December 22nd, the remuneration of the members of the management bodies of legal persons:
with an average expenditure equal to or greater than US$ 10 million, consists of the amount of 90% of the Prime Minister's remuneration;
with an average expenditure equal to or greater than US$ 5, consists of the amount of 80% of the Prime Minister's remuneration;
with an average expenditure equal to or greater than US$ 1 million, consists of the amount of 70% of the Prime Minister's remuneration; and
with an average expenditure of less than US$ 1 million, consists of the amount of 60% of the Prime Minister's remuneration.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Armindo Maia and the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, Abrão Saldanha, on the National Youth Action Plan and the Integrated Approach to Youth Development.
With this Resolution, the Government at this moment reaffirms its commitment, will and determination towards youth development and the implementation of the National Youth Policy, as well as proceeding with the approval of the Youth Action Plan 2023-2027 and the definition of youth markers and mechanisms of the integrated approach to youth development set out in the national planning of the various interministerial sections.
This Government Resolution is essentially aimed at launching the bases of a new way for the Government to legislate in the area of Youth to promote the establishment of norms that are beneficial for the development of young people, on whom the future of Timor-Leste is deposited, given the youth of the country. Therefore, all the legislation that the Government will produce must be the object of an in-depth analysis which will focus on its impacts on young people, the positivity or negativity of this impact and the compatibility of the norms under analysis with the National Youth Policy, as well as other legislation which implies rights and obligations for young people.
Private entities, whether or not they hold the status of public interest, are also encouraged to adopt in their business and activities, whatever their nature, internal evaluation measures of the impact on youth, and are encouraged, in the pursuit of their goals and in carrying out their activities, to consider the significant axes defined by the National Youth Policy.
The National Youth Action Plan is based on five main areas (education, healthy living, employment, civic participation, and violence) for which a set of interventions are proposed to be implemented by the various ministerial lines.
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The draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Defence, Filomeno da Paixão de Jesus, for the first amendment to Decree-Law No. 5/2022 of January 19th, which approved the Organic Statute of the FALINTIL - Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL), was approved.
This amendment aims to adjust the military organic-functional structure of the F-FDTL, clarifying the competencies of its bodies and services and improving the political-military articulation regarding the military component of National Defence. It is also intended to make the organic structure of the F-FDTL compatible with the structuring documents of the National Defence Strategic Planning. With this Decree-Law, the bodies and services of the National Maritime Authority, which are regulated by their own legislation, given their true civilian nature, within the concept of maritime security, are revoked.
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According to the projects presented by the Minister of Public Works, Abel Pires da Silva, the Council of Ministers decided to authorise the expenditure for the transfer of funds from the State Budget for the Program "798 Water and Sanitation" from the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) to the Public Company Bee Timor-Leste (BTL, EP) and for the Program "802 Electricity" from the Ministry of Public Works to the Public Company Electricity of Timor-Leste (EDTL, EP).
Therefore, the Council of Ministers decided to authorise the expenses to conclude the grant contracts between the MOP and BTL, EP, in the amount of US$ 18 million, and between the MOP and EDTL, EP, in the amount of US$ 100 million.
These funds transfers aim to provide BTL, EP and EDTL, EP with the necessary resources to carry out and expand the supply of water and sanitation and electricity, respectively, throughout the country, both essential public services to the population and the country's economy.
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According to the draft presented by the Minister of Finance, Rui Augusto Gomes, the Council of Ministers decided to authorise the expenditure of US$ 15 million for an annual grant to the Timorese Episcopal Conference (CET – Portuguese acronym).
This annual grant to the Timorese Episcopal Conference is made under the agreement signed on August 14th, 2015, between Timor-Leste and the Holy See and the Framework Agreement signed on June 16th, 2017, between the Government and the CET, which provides for an annual contribution, according to the financial availability of the Government, for the social, educational and church governance activities of the Catholic Church.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Health, Odete Maria Freitas Belo, to appoint the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Public Health of Timor-Leste (INSP-TL - Portuguese acronym).
Thus, Merita Antónia Armindo Monteiro is appointed to exercise the position of President of the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Public Health of Timor-Leste in a four-year service commission.
Lourenço Camnahas and Ismael Salvador da Costa Barreto are also appointed as INSP-TL Board of Directors members on a part-time, four-year contract.
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Lastly, the Minister of Public Works, Abel Pires da Silva, gave a preliminary presentation on the options to solve the payment of the former employees of the company "Lorosa'e Segurança", who carried out security services to the electricity production and distribution facilities and who refused to leave their positions and sign a contract with the new company, namely the workers from the Baucau, Maliana, and Manatuto power substations. END
- 20 of March of 2023Vote of Condolence on the death of Fernando Xavier “MAUFORU”Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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March 20th, 2023
Press Release
Vote of Condolences for the Death of Fernando Xavier "MAUFORU"
The Government of Timor-Leste, on behalf of the entire nation, conveys its deep sorrow on the passing away, yesterday, March 19th, 2023, of Fernando Xavier “MAUFORU”, former Secretary of the Ainaro sub-region during the struggle for the National Liberation of Timor-Leste and founder of the Democratic Party (PD).
Fernando Xavier “MAUFORU” was born on August 15th, 1947, in Ainaro.
He joined the National Liberation Armed Forces of Timor-Leste (FALINTIL) in 1975, holding the Company Commander rank. Furthermore, from October 1993, he was Secretary of the Ainaro Sub-region.
During the Indonesian occupation, he was arrested twice, between January 1979 and December 1987 and January 1989 and September 1993.
On November 28th, 2006, Fernando Xavier “MAUFORU” was awarded the Nicolau Lobato’s Order.
Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, remembered Fernando Xavier “MAUFORU” as “a tireless defender of national self-determination” and stated that “his contribution to the history of Timor-Leste will always be remembered”.
The Spokesperson of the 8th Constitutional Government, Minister Fidelis Magalhães, on behalf of the Government and all the Timorese, presented his most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the late Fernando Xavier “MAUFORU” and stated that “the Timorese will be forever grateful for his contribution to national self-determination” and that “his courage and legacy will endure forever in the memory of us all”. END
- 18 of March of 2023Note of Condolence on the Death of Sisto dos SantosPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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March 17th, 2023
Press Release
Note of Condolence on the Death of Sisto dos Santos
The Spokesperson of the 8th Constitutional Government, Minister Fidelis Magalhães, presents “heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Sisto dos Santos,” a well-known activist in the fight for the promotion of human rights and justice, who passed away today, March 17th, 2023, at the age of 43.
The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers expressed that he “always maintained and promoted a strong relationship of collaboration with Sisto dos Santos and with national civil society” and that his passing “is a great loss for the Timorese civil society, which the Government recognises as very important for the country”.
Sisto dos Santos was born on September 25th, 1979, in Huruleu, Lautém Municipality. He was the Director of the HAK Timor-Leste Association and a member of the Board of Directors of Centro Nacional Chega, IP. END - 15 of March of 2023Meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 15th, 2023Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 15th, 2023
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace, in Dili, and approved the draft Law Proposal, presented by the Vice-Prime-Minister and Minister of Planning and Territory, José Maria dos Reis, concerning the extraordinary compensation regime for construction works carried out without contractual formalisation.
Forty-four projects approved by the Infrastructure Fund Board of Directors were identified, which have never been formalised in a contract, whilst some of these projects have been executed. This draft Law Proposal aims to establish a fair compensation mechanism for the companies due to the construction work carried out, taking into account the costs incurred. The draft Law establishes a special committee to assess the construction works carried out and to submit a proposal for a transaction contract for each company. The effectiveness of the contract will depend on the prior express approval of the Chamber of Accounts.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, concerning the Regime of the Rights of holders and members of sovereign bodies and holders of political positions.
The purpose of this draft Decree Law is to complement the regimes established by Law no. 7/2007, of July 25th, which approves the Statute for holders of sovereign bodies, and Law no. 14/2009, of October 21st, which approves the Statute of remuneration of holders of political positions, concerning the rights of holders and members of sovereign bodies and holders of political positions. Furthermore, the objective is to guarantee the consistency and comprehensibility of the legal system, given that the two Government Decrees currently in force on this matter, which are expected to be revoked, are outdated, not reflecting the changes that have occurred in the legal system in the meantime.
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The draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Interior for appointing Chief Superintendent Henrique da Costa to exercise the position of General Commander of the Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL) for three years, was approved. Consequently, he was promoted to General Commissioner. With this Resolution, the service commission of the current General Commander of the PNTL, Commissioner Faustino da Costa, ceases.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, also presented by the Minister of Interior, to appoint Chief Superintendent Pedro Belo to exercise the position of 2nd General Commander of the PNTL for three years, being, as such, promoted to Commissioner. With this Government Resolution, the service commission of the current 2nd General Commander of the PNTL, Commissioner Mateus Fernandes, ends.
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The amendment of the draft Decree Law, presented by the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, regarding the second amendment to Decree Law 37/2022, of May 25th, on the end-of-year allowance to households, was approved.
Regarding the draft Decree-Law approved in the Meeting of the Council of Ministers on February 1st, 2023, it is now defined that the payment of the end-of-year allowance will be made from November 2022 to October 2023, being suspended during the period of the electoral campaign for the election of members of the National Parliament.
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Also, on the proposal of the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, an amendment to the draft Decree-Law was approved regarding the occasional support to the vulnerable.
Regarding the draft Decree-Law approved at the Meeting of the Council of Ministers on January 25th, 2023, it is now defined that the Decree-Law comes into force on June 1st, 2023.
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The Council of Ministers approved a legislative package presented by the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Armindo Maia, concerning the legal regimes of the national preschool, primary, and secondary education systems.
This legislative package aims to establish the national preschool education system and review the national primary and secondary education systems, regulating the main organisational issues of these levels of education and teaching within the national education system. The three diplomas establish the guiding rules, the planning of the network of educational offers, the administration and management regime of public establishments, the rules applicable to private and cooperative establishments, and their integration into the network of public service educational offers.
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The draft Government Resolution concerning the donation of US$ 60 thousand to the Permanent Representation of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Albertina Xavier Reis Magno, was approved.
This measure strengthens the historical ties that unite Timor-Leste and the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, based on the common desire for self-determination, on the principle of solidarity with the struggle of peoples for national liberation and on the right to self-determination and independence, present in the Constitution of the Republic, in the Resolution of the National Parliament of solidarity and support to the Saharawi people, and in the fact that Timor-Leste has contributed, since 2011, to the functioning of that Permanent Representation in Dili, through the granting of an annual allowance for the exercise of its activities in Timor-Leste and the region.
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The Council of Ministers approved two draft Resolutions of the National Parliament, also presented by Minister Adaljiza Magno, for ratifying the Agreement on Air Services with the Government of New Zealand and for ratifying the Air Transport Agreement with the Government of the State of Qatar.
These Air Services Agreements with the Governments of New Zealand and Qatar aim to promote the development of competitive and innovative services and to ensure the highest level of safety, security and international protection. Cooperation in the area of civil aviation with these two nations is intended to bring benefits to all parties and contribute to the economic and social progress of Timor-Leste, especially in the tourism sector.
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Two draft Decree-Laws, presented by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pedro dos Reis, concerning Plant Health and Quarantine and Animal Health and Quarantine, were approved.
The draft Decree Law on Plant Health and Quarantine aims to protect plants and plant products from pests and diseases that may threaten these resources or the economy and negatively impact food security, cultivation areas or the natural environment. It is also intended to provide a clear, efficient and conducive framework for trade and business activities, empower public officials and facilitate private sector activities. This draft Decree-Law establishes the legal foundations for the import and export of plants, plant products and other regulated articles, sets a framework for domestic surveillance, defines procedures to respond to the detection of regulated pests and defines a general framework for phytosanitary measures. It also creates a framework to enable the implementation of the provisions by establishing the role of the responsible authority, its powers and how the rules are implemented. The framework established in this Decree-Law will be developed through regulations, which will define procedures and other technical details.
The Animal Health and Quarantine draft Decree-Law's main objectives are to protect animal health and ensure safe products of animal origin, prevent animal diseases and quarantine risks to public health and food safety, and provide a clear and efficient framework for trade and business activities. The diploma establishes general animal health measures and specific rules within aquaculture and aquatic animal health, defines functions for veterinary public health issues, regulates veterinary medicines and provides a system for the identification and traceability of animals. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be responsible for ensuring the implementation of the measures throughout the national territory through regulations that will define procedures and other technical details.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, for the first amendment to Decree-Law No. 1/2017, of March 15th, which established the National Press of Timor-Leste, I.P. (INTL-Portuguese acronym).
This draft Decree-Law aims to provide the National Press of Timor-Leste with an organisational model suitable to the real and ever-changing needs of INTL, adopting a more flexible and dynamic model.
Recent legislation on the organisation of the State's indirect administration leads to a rethinking of the current organisational model of INTL to adapt it to current best practices. The internal organisation of the National Press of Timor-Leste follows the hierarchical model, whose main rules are defined in this diploma, but whose implementation will be the responsibility of the Government member in charge, who can best adapt the organisational model to the real and ever-changing needs of this public institute.
The diploma also assigns some new attributions and activities to INTL, namely the production of the embossing stamp, on an exclusive basis, for the official use of the direct and indirect administration of the State, as well as editing and printing ballot papers and identification and travel documents and other security documents, when expressly provided for in special legislation.
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Also approved was the draft Law Proposal, presented by the Minister of State Administration, Miguel Pereira de Carvalho, for the third amendment to Law n.º 11/2009, of October 7th, on the Administrative Division of the Territory.
This draft Law Proposal has as its object the establishment of new infra-municipal or second-level municipal administrative jurisdictions, all resulting from processes of scission of currently existing administrative posts.
The first change occurs in the current administrative post of Maubara, in the Municipality of Liquiça, which has an area of approximately 264 km2, corresponding to 48.7% of the municipality's territory, and a population of roughly 22,000 people. Thus, this administrative post is divided into two: Maubara, which has an area of 132 km2 and 12,194 inhabitants, and Loes, which has an area of 132 Km2 and a population of approximately 9,700 people.
The second change occurs in the current administrative post of Quelicai, in Baucau municipality, which has an area of 206 km2, corresponding to 13.7% of the municipality's territory and a population of approximately 17,471 people. This administrative post is divided into three: Quelicai, with an area of 46 km2 and 7.096 inhabitants; Old Quelicai, with an area of 80 Km2 and a population of approximately 5.998 people; and Matebian, with an area of 80 Km2 and a population of about 4.300 people.
Whereas an election process for the National Parliament is underway, and to allow the present and following Governments to plan and execute the necessary measures for the establishment and entry into operation of the new administrative post administrations and their respective bodies, the present Law Proposal shall come into force on January 1st, 2024.
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The Minister of State Administration, Miguel Pereira de Carvalho, presented the option for recognising new Villages (Sucos).
A presentation was given on the initiative to modify the ministerial diploma on the recognition of Villages (Sucos) and Hamlets (Aldeias) for the recognition of ten new Villages, to come into force on October 1st, 2023, to facilitate the access of the communities to the village centres, to bring the local authorities closer to the communities and to promote the development of these regions.
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Lastly, the Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry presented the political-legislative options underlying the initiative to establish a Tourism Fund.
Establishing a Tourism Fund is an initiative to foster tourism in Timor-Leste, supporting investment in the sector and contributing to local entrepreneurship, job creation and poverty reduction. It is foreseen that the Fund will be managed by the Tourism Authority and endowed with administrative and financial autonomy, ensuring financial stability, sustainability and predictability of investments in tourism. Establishing the Fund is considered necessary, appropriate and urgent to ensure investment in the tourism sector and create investment opportunities for the national and international private sectors. The advantages of the initiative include increasing legality, legitimacy, transparency, predictability, competitiveness, sustainability, debureaucratisation and fostering business culture and entrepreneurship. END - 09 of March of 2023Government reaffirms commitment on International Women’s DayOn this International Women's Day, the 8th Constitutional Government congratulates all women in Timor-Leste and reiterates its commitment to continue to develop policies to increase the participation of women in all areas of society, including politics, employment, education and health.more
- 08 of March of 2023Meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 8th, 2023Approved:more
1 - establish the working group to reassess the State's participation in the TL Cement project;
2 - amend the Career Statute for Early Childhood Educators and Primary and Secondary School Teachers (Teaching Career Statute);
3 - Martial Arts Organisation and Sports Practice Regime;
4 - establishing the Regulatory Commission of Martial Arts (CRAM- Portuguese acronym), I.P., and approves its Statutes; and
5 - establish the Committee for Preparation of the 8th Constitutional Government's Term of Office Final Report.
Analysed:
1 - political-legislative options underlying the initiative to establish a reward for tourism activity;
2 - two presentations regarding the preparation of the 8th Constitutional Government's Term of Office Final Report and the VNR 2.0; and
3 - current waste management and the future management of urban solid waste for the Municipality of Dili. - 07 of March of 2023Note of Condolence on the Death of Priest Francisco Tavares dos ReisThe Government of Timor-Leste extends its deepest condolences on Father Francisco Tavares dos Reis's passing today, March 7th, 2023, at the age of 78, following a long-term illness.more
- 01 of March of 2023Meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 1st, 2023Approved:more
1 - first amendment to the regime of administrative offences against the economy and food safety;
2 - value of the subvention to be granted by the State to candidates for the Presidency of the Republic electoral campaigns; no
3 - approve the addendum to the public contract no. ICB/021/MPWTC-2015 - regarding the contract for the rehabilitation of the Manatuto - Baucau road (Package A01-02), referring to the Project for the Rehabilitation of National Road No. 1.
Analysed:
1 - political-legislative options underlying the initiative to create a Framework Law for Tourism Activities and underlying the initiative to establish a Timor-Leste Tourism Authority;
2 - political-legislative options underlying the initiative to establish a staffing regime to support Timor-Leste's ASEAN accession activities; and
3 - preliminary presentation of the results of the identification of the contracts, their causes and amounts, and the possibilities for their regularisation.
