12 months, 12 good news stories for Timor-Leste
Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Díli, December 18, 2014
12 months, 12 good news stories for Timor-Leste
On the 24th of January the Budget for 2014 was passed with increased spending on Health and Education.
On the 7th of February Timor-Leste participated for the first time in the Winter Olympic Games proudly represented by Yohan Gonçalves Goutt.
On the 8th of March the Government of Timor-Leste announced that a new world-class cement facility was to be built in Timor- Leste’s second largest city Baucau, creating a long-term cement manufacturing industry and thousands of new jobs for Timorese people.
On the 27th of April, World Malaria Day, the World Health Organization announced that Timor-Leste is on track for a greater than 75% decrease in the incidence of Malaria cases over the period 2000 to 2015.
On the 16th of May the World Health Statistics Report for 2014 noted that Timor-Leste was ranked fifth amongst all member countries in making the greatest progress in extending life expectancy between 1990 and 2012.
On the 30th of June the Petroleum Fund of Timor-Leste reached $16.6. Billion.
On the 24th of July the Human Development Index 2014, produced by the UNDP, was released and noted that of all the 144 countries in the Very High, High and Medium Human Development Categories, Timor-Leste has the highest annual average of Human Development growth between 2000 and 2013.
On the 26th of August an Memorandum of Understanding was signed that has led to the commencement of daily flights between Denpasar and Díli by the Indonesian National Airline Garuda catering for growing numbers of tourists.
On the 10th of September the World Health Organization honored Timor-Leste’s National Malaria Control Program with an Award for Excellence in Public Health noting that Timor-Leste has achieved its MDG target for Malaria.
On the 29th of October the 2015 World Bank Doing Business Report was released and recognized Timor-Leste as the most improved of all 189 economies measured in improving the ease of starting a business.
On the 21st of November the Government approved an investment agreement with Heineken Asia Pacific for the construction of a factory in Timor-Leste, entailing an investment exceeding forty million dollars and more opportunities for growth in local employment and diversification of the economy.
And on the 1st of December the Prime Minister, H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, presented to National Parliament the 2015 State Budget noting its four guiding principles: sustainability, a focus on people, investment in quality infrastructure and maintenance of adequate social protection. The Budget was accepted in generality on the 4th of December.
Spokesperson Agio Pereira noted “It has been a busy year for Timor-Leste. Also in July was our successful hosting of the CPLP Summit in Díli when many Presidents and Prime Ministers visited our shores and where Timor-Leste assumed the responsibilities as President for the next two years. The year has been marked by many achievements taking place in a positive environment with steady non-oil economic growth, rising domestic revenue and low inflation.”
