Government of Timor-Leste

Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and

Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste

 Dili, February 16th, 2017

Government reviews two years of serving with “Rigor and Responsibility”

Today, the 16^th of February 2017, marks two years since the swearing in of the Sixth Constitutional Government of Timor-Leste. On this day in 2015 the new Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo, noted the limited timeframe the Government had to “give form and content” to commitments made, but declared, “Nevertheless, we want to move the country forward and we are determined to do so”.

It is this determination that has characterized the work of the last two years to deliver the Program of the Sixth Constitutional Government with rigor and responsibility.

The Government has sought to address immediate needs, particularly in the social sector, whilst laying the foundations for successful long-term national development through its focus on productive areas of the economy, building and improving essential economic infrastructure, and addressing industry, financing and trade constraints.

In this reflection there is only space to highlight some of the many actions of the Government in the four main areas of its Program, the Social, Infrastructure, Economic, and Good Governance Sectors.

On the 22^nd of July 2015 the Government launched the Comprehensive Primary Health Care Package and Health in the Family Program. This is the single most far-reaching health initiative ever undertaken in Timor-Leste and to date over 149,000 home visits have been carried out, more than 190,000 families cared for and some 902,000 family members have benefitted from the program. By determining the health situation of people and their families and identifying and responding to risks the Government is making significant progress in achieving its vision of “Healthy Timorese citizens living in a healthy Timor-Leste”.

Amongst many other health achievements in the last two years are marked improvements in hospital emergency medical services in the hospitals of Baucau, Maliana, Suai, Díli, Maubisse and Oe-Cusse, the construction of 57 Health Posts, the rehabilitation of 22 Health Centers, the recent inauguration of the Eduardo Ximenes Regional Hospital in Baucau and the passing of the landmark Tobacco Control Regime which will have a monumental impact on the good health of current and future generations.

In the sphere of Education 15 new preschools have been built and 518 basic schools and 30 secondary schools rehabilitated. Over 98,000 sets of tables and chairs were distributed throughout the country and close to a million text books and teaching materials were acquired and printed for different levels of education. The roll out of the new curriculum for the first cycle of basic education has continued and preparations for implementation in the second cycle are in their final phase. School lunches were distributed in 1,505 schools benefitting over 300,000 students.

The General Social Security Law was passed in late 2016 with a Budget of just under $27 million allocated for 2017. This law creates a single Social Security Scheme that will be key to sustainability in the area of social benefits and includes mandatory contributions from workers and employers. In the area of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls the Government adopted the National Plan of Action on Gender-Based Violence 2017-2021 and the National Plan of Action of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

The Government Program, like the Strategic Development Plan upon which it is based, recognizes that “In order to develop our Nation, build a modern and productive economy and create jobs we must build core and productive infrastructure.” Recent polling indicates that infrastructure development, particularly regarding roads, is a high priority for the population.

In the last two years 860 kilometers of national roads, 53 kilometers of municipal roads and 80 kilometers of urban roads were built, along with 8 bridges and significant engineering work to mitigate flooding. Following on from the National Electrification project of the V Constitutional Government over 1,000 kilometers of new medium voltage lines and 1,321 kilometers of low voltage lines have been installed benefitting more than 43,000 people. Electricity tariffs have been regulated with over 34,000 units of prepaid electricity meters distributed across all municipalities and subsequent revenues reaching more than $50 Million.

The provision of quality water supply has expanded with the completion of the water supply system in the capital of Manatuto and the progress in Oe-Cusse reaching 59%. In the municipality of Díli 263 new water supply connections were installed. The Master Plans of Water and Sanitation were finalized for the capitals of Baucau, Lospalos, Same and Viqueque.

In his very first speech as Prime Minister, Dr. Araújo said “our plan tells us that sustainability and economic diversification are pressing needs.” To meet these needs within the economic sector there has been support to the five pillars identified in the Guide for Economic Reform and Growth of Timor-Leste 2015-2017, namely the sectors of Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism and Manufacturing Industry, as well as considerable efforts to build an environment conducive to economic diversification by addressing industry, financing and trade constraints.

Agriculture support has included the production of hundreds of tons of seeds for farmers, the distribution of 270,000 seedlings for planting throughout all municipalities, the establishment of 113 new tilapia breeding tanks in the area of fish farming and the acquisition and distribution of many hundreds of thousands of vaccines to ensure safe and healthy buffaloes, cows, swine and poultry. The work on several large irrigation systems has been completed.

Small business has been supported with financing provided to 133 enterprises and 196 proposals under the self–employment program for the creation of small businesses were approved and financed. Business training was given to 2,307 participants in Business Development Centers in the 12 municipalities and provided a counseling and follow-up service to 516 entrepreneurs. Through SERVE 3,345 commercial licensing certificates for new companies were issued.

The Mining Code and the Forestry Code were approved by the Government and the National Petroleum Authority transitioned to become the National Petroleum and Mineral Authority. The Draft Tourism Policy was released for comment and tourism came ‘online’, literally, with the launch of the Government’s website www.timorleste.tl and the development of an international marketing campaign.

Laws critical to the encourage private sector development and foreign investment have been approved by the Government including the draft law on Arbitration, Mediation and Conciliation and the very important Special Regime on the Ownership of Immovable Property, also known as the Land Law. This law, recently approved by National Parliament is considered essential to ensure peace and the social and economic development of the country.

A new Customs Authority was established, a modern Customs Code based on international conventions was passed and the adoption of the Arusha Declaration revised to promote integrity and transparency in the new Customs Authority. This has taken place as the work goes ahead to construct a world-class port at Tibar Bay through a Public Private Partnership between the Government and French consortium Bolloré.

In terms of increasing connection to global markets two significant milestones were Timor-Leste’s granting of observer status by the World Trade Organization and the CPLP Global Economic Forum held in February 2016 with more than 300 business participants visiting from around the world. Work has continued to ensure that Timor-Leste is prepared for its accession to ASEAN, with the accession process considered to be ‘on track.’

Finally in the sector of Good Governance, planning and strategic investment, strengthening accountability, increasing decentralization and ensuring continued peace and stability have been at the forefront. The reform programs instituted in the four key areas of Public Administration, Fiscal Reform, Economic Reform and Legislative and Justice Sector Reform are all well advanced. Investments have been made to strengthen and professionalize security forces, improve access to justice and ensure the use of Tetum in the judicial sector.

The Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit was set up to ensure a better link between planning and budgeting and to clearly define performance indicators regarding the execution of public monies. The new Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations Agenda 2030 have been integrated into the Government’s policies, action plans and budget with the help of a SDG Working Group set up under the Office of the Prime Minister. A Social Audit Unit was set up to enhance the relationship between the Government and Civil Society Organizations and carry out social audit activities in the area of education, health, basic infrastructure and agriculture.

Successful local elections were held throughout the country in 2016 facilitated by the Government and work is underway to prepare for the upcoming Presidential election on the 20^th of March and the Parliamentary election expected to take place in July. The main building of the National Electoral Commission was recently completed and inaugurated with the necessary conditions for the important work of overseeing these elections and ensuring democracy in Timor-Leste through the promotion of a free and fair electoral process.

The Council for the Final Delimitation of Maritime Boundaries was established to assist the achievement of the delimitation of national maritime borders and the Maritime Boundary Office [MBO] created to support this endeavour. The website of the MBO was launched and a comprehensive policy paper produced and published on the Maritime Borders of Timor-Leste. In August 2015, we agreed with Indonesia to hold bilateral discussions on land and sea borders. In April 2016 the Government initiated a United Nations Compulsory Conciliation process with Australia to assist the resolution of maritime boundaries, and after overcoming jurisdictional challenges the process is now well underway with meetings signaling that both parties “should aim to reach agreement within the timeframe of the conciliation process” to be concluded in September 2017. The Chief Negotiator for Maritime Boundaries, H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão has been at the forefront of these efforts.

Government Spokesperson, Minister of State Agio Pereira, noted “the last two years have been characterized by an energetic implementation of the Program of the Sixth Constitutional Government. Over this period we have always been aware that the process of transformation in our country requires the participation of us all. Together we have achieved a great deal. With a heavy sense of responsibility the Government remains acutely aware of what still needs to be done to best manage the various challenges ahead. We will continue to work with ‘rigor and responsibility’ over the remaining months of our mandate. We reflect on these years positively and look to the years ahead with confidence in our people and our common commitment to the success and progress of  Timor-Leste.” 

 

FACTS and FIGURES

 

Two Years of the Sixth Constitutional Government

ECONOMIC SECTOR

• We were granted Observer Status by the General Council of the World Trade Organisation.

• We held the Global Economic Forum, which featured over 300 participants from the 5 continents, particularly CPLP member countries.

• We allocated funding to 133 small and medium business enterprises.

• The Institute for Business Development Support (IADE) registered3,732 clients (1,892women and1,840men) in its data base; provided business training to 2,307 participants at 12 Business Development Centres in the 12 Municipalities and provided counselling and guidance to 516businesspeople.
  

• We produced/multiplied 112 tonnes of local corn seeds; 50 tonnes of high yield corn seeds; 5 tonnes of certified rice seeds; 11 tonnes of certified peanut seeds and 2 tonnes of certified Ailuka cassava seeds; 500kg of rice seeds of the mother variety, 1,200kg of corn, 2,500kg of peanuts, 200,000 sweet potato stakes and 150,000 cassava stakes.

• Commercial seeds (corn and rice):we produced 12 tonnes of corn seeds of the Sele variety; 4 tonnes of Noi mutin and 10 tonnes of Nai; 175 tonnes of commercial rice seeds and 250 tonnes of corn; we established 73 commercial seed associations (rice and corn); we benefited 183,330 households and conducted training, monitoring, mentoring and meetings with groups of farmers.

• We acquired 80 tonnes of rice seeds of the local variety, 15 tonnes of rice of the Sequeira variety, 225 tonnes of rice of the Nakroma variety, 100 tonnes of local corn; 50 tonnes of high yield corn; 17 tonnes of organic fertilisers, 350 tonnes of non-organic fertilisers, 17,000 litres of pesticides, 12 tonnes of European potato, 30 tonnes of soy, 5 tonnes of mungo beans, 30 tonnes of peanuts and 5,263units of horticulture equipment to be distributed to farmers.

• We spent 180 working days conducting extension visits to farmers in order to provide training in Good Agricultural Practices benefiting 633 people; we supported 226 groups of women and young people(66 groups dedicated to horticulture, 26 groups dedicated to rice, 49 groups dedicated to corn, 25 groups dedicated to aquaculture, 24 groups dedicated to swine, 22 groups dedicated to buffalos and 14 groups dedicated to goats) in the 12 Municipalities.

• We completed the second stage of irrigation in Oebaba (Covalima), Raibere (Ainaro), Carau-Ulun (Manufahi) and Bulutu (Manatuto); we started constructing irrigation systems in Tono, in the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno; in Larisula, in the Administrative Post of Baguia, Municipality of Baucau; and in Bilimau. The drawings and Bill of Quantities for the irrigation systems of Galata (Municipality of Baucau) and Dardau (Municipality of Viqueque) have been submitted to National Development Agency [ADN] for verification. The feasibility study concerning the associated dam site has been submitted to ADN.

• We distributed 270,000 forest seedlings to be planted over an area of 432 hectares in 12 municipalities. We produced 2,000 sandalwood seedlings, 10,000 teak seedlings, 20,000 Red Cedar seedlings, 30,000 mahogany seedlings, 27,953 Casuarina seedlings, 7,000 Albizia seedlings, 3,000 Acacia Rubra seedlings, 3,000 Neem (nimba) seedlings, 2,500 white teak seedlings, 2,500 gamal seedlings, 2,500 lamtoro seedlings, 1,500 marungi seedlings, 2,000 nangkah seedlings, 3,000 orange seedlings, 3,000 avocado seedlings, 1,000 kulu modo seedlings, 3,000 mango seedlings, 2,000 turi seedlings, 1,320 ketapan seedlings, 1,500 Pau Portugal seedlings, 1,500 tebabuia seedlings, 1,500 camplon seedlings, 1,547 ai matan dukur seedlings and 6,680 papaya seedlings at the Maubara Nursery.

• We produced 904,000 coffee seedlings and shade tree seedlings at the coffee and industrial plant nurseries as well as150,000 cocoa seedlings, 12,300 seedlings, 15,600 cashew seedlings, 111,100 vanilla seedlings and for Indian nut15,600 kami seedlings and 5,560 clove seedlings.

• We acquired and distributed487 thousand doses of SE vaccines (buffalos and cows), 340 thousand doses of CSF vaccines (swine) and 803 thousand doses of ND vaccines (poultry).

• We started the construction of the Fisheries Training Centre (40% completed) and established 113 new tanks for breeding tilapia.

• We distributed 6,457 tonnes of rice to support the School Meals Programme (with the MoE) and 2,190 bags of rice as humanitarian aid (with the MoSS).

• We issued 573business licencing certificates in the 4 regions (Region I: 136, Region II: 154, Region III: 102, Region IV: 181); 3,345 business licencing certificates for new companies through SERVE; we renewed 8,836 business licencing certificates; we issued 5,218 licences for micro businesses or single proprietorships; we issued 81 certificates of origin as Café Timor to 6 exporting companies (3,733 tonnes); we issued 54 environmental licencing certificates (3 of category A; 14 of category B; and 37 of category C).

• We approved the Forestry Code in order to ensure sustainable forest management.

• We started salt production at Ulmera (Liquiçá) and Atabae (Bobonaro).

• We approved the Mining Code – to be reviewed by Parliament – regulating all mining activities, namely the surveying, research, evaluation, development, exploration, processing, refining and selling of minerals); drafted the Decree Law establishing the National Mineral Company, presently being reviewed; created the National Petroleum and Mineral Authority (ANPM, formerly ANP).

• We launched the www.timorleste.tl website and commenced developing an international marketing campaign; we produced DVDs on Maritime Tourism and on Cultural and Historical Tourism; we released theDraft Tourism Policy for Timor-Leste: Growing Tourism to 2030 – Creating a Sense of National Identityfor comment.

• We implemented 30 physical projects (rehabilitation of rural roads, community tourism, bridges and construction of trenches and barriers); 111 intensive labour projects (new rural roads); and the rural employment programme, with 12,774 beneficiaries.

• Under the self-employment programme we approved and funded 196 proposals by the general community for creating small businesses, with1,794 beneficiaries (604 W and 1,190M); 18 proposals by graduates, with151 beneficiaries (40 W and 111 M) and 5 proposals by disabled groups, with44beneficiaries(15 W and 29 M).

• We registered a total of 18,975 people (8,106 W and 9,869 M) seeking opportunities to enrol in various areas of professional training and employment.

• We sent 921 workers to South Korea, comprised of 610 workers (40 women and 570 men) to work in fisheries and 311 workers (27 women and 284 men) to work in factories; we enrolled 4,154 students (1,400 women and 2,754 men) to learn Korean; we sent 459 workers (120 women and 339 men) to Australia, comprised of 73 workers (28 women and 45 men) to work in the area of Hospitality and Tourism and 386workers (92 women and 294 men) to work in the area of Horticulture.

GOVERNANCE SECTOR

• Through the Office for the Support Civil Society we supported 176 community projects (in areas of education and training, social and technical development, culture, health and agriculture/horticulture) and projects coordinated by religious institutions (in areas of academic and technical training of human resources, education, pastoral support, infrastructure implementation, support for social action and humanitarian/charitable support) across all 12 municipalities and the Special Administrative Zone of Oe-CusseAmbeno. The projects, funded with approximately $ 24 million, contributed to the development of sustainable socio-educational, cultural and economic activities that promote the improvement of community living conditions.

• We created the Social Audit Unit to enhance the relationship between the Government and Civil Society Organizations and carry out social audit activities in the areas of education, health, basic infrastructure and agriculture. We held the First National Conference on Social Audit and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with FONGTIL with whom we recorded 105 cases, 86 of which have been successfully completed.

• Through the Human Capital Development Fund, we financed 4,745 beneficiaries with scholarships and 16,052 beneficiaries with vocational training, technical training and other courses for skill development.

• We created the SDG Working Group that integrated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, approved by the National Parliament, into the Government's policies, action plans and budget. We set Goals 2 (food security and nutrition), 4 (basic education) and 9 (infrastructure) as priority goals for 2017 and allocated 36% of the budget for related programs, with another 25% of the budget for other goals.

• We have set up the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (UPMA) to ensure a better link between planning and budgeting and to clearly define performance indicators so that the execution of public moneycan be effectively monitored and reviewed.

• We performed anevaluation of the 1st Phase of theimplementation of the Strategic Development Plan, covering the period from 2011 to 2015, which is soon to be submitted for approval.

• We set up the Permanent Secretariat of the Inter-ministerial Security Commission (SpeCiS) which coordinates the Integrated National Security System (SISN) through the Inter-ministerial Security Commission (CIS). Within the framework of its coordination tasks, the Strategic Concept for Defense and Security was approved; the structure of the Maritime Authority and of the National Civil Protection Authority was established; the Working Group on Human Trafficking and the Working Group on Martial Arts were revitalized; the Strategic Plan of the National Intelligence Service and the structure of SISN was completed, the Integrated Crisis Management Center was established and the Integrated National Security Plan was brought into its final phase of development.

• SpeCiS, through the social audit mechanism, also contributes to the discussion and monitoring of Civil Society activities in the area of ​​national security, and has also contributed to the recent approval of the Martial Arts and White Weapons Decree Law. It alsosupports the ongoing practice of a community policing philosophy with an emphasis on visibility, involvement and professionalism.

• We have created the AIFAESA (Authority for Inspection and Supervision of Economic, Health and Food Activities) whose objective is to control the quality, conditions of transport and health of foodstuffs and of their production and commercialization, in order to reduce or prevent risks for public health. AIFAESA will begin to undertake inspection and supervision activities that were previouslyunder the authority of MAP, MS and MCIA. Its officers and employees begin their work in February 2017.

• We have signed the Concordat, an agreement establishing the legal framework for relations between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, the Holy See and the Catholic Church. Under this agreement, we have ceded land to the Holy See and established the "Agreement for the Implementation of the Agreement between the Democratic Republic of TL and the Holy See", which is awaiting final signatures. The Government will assign the Timorese Episcopal Conference financing of more than $ 15 million to be awarded to educational, social and other activities.

• We have established the Council for the Final Delimitation of Maritime Boundaries so that there is finally a definition of the national maritime borders, so that the full sovereignty of our maritime territory can be achieved. We launched the website of the Maritime Boundary Office. We started the Compulsory Conciliation process with Australia under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and in January of this year both Governments agreed to negotiate a permanent maritime border. We organized the Dili International Conference on Maritime Boundaries and developed and launched a Policy Paper on the Maritime Boundaries of Timor-Leste. In August 2015, we agreed with Indonesia to hold bilateral discussions on land and sea borders.

• Public Administration Reform - We have approved the Public Administration Reform Guide, which is based on four fundamental pillars: institutional strengthening, strengthening of the civil service, reform and training of INAP and reinforcement of control of administrative management, Financial and patrimonial status of the State through the State Inspectorate. We approved the Decree-Law on the Standard of Competencies for the positions of Directors and Managers with public functions; The Decree-Law on the attribution of praises in the public function; The Regime of Senior Professionals; We performed the Diagnosis of the workforce in Public Administration; We made an adjustment to the salaries of the General Careers staff and concluded the design of the SIGAP interconnection system module. We hold regular meetings with the Directors General as implementers of the Government's policy.

• Fiscal Reform - We have created the Commission for Fiscal Reform. The Fiscal Reform has two components: revenue and expenditure. In terms of revenue, the Council of Ministers approved, the Customs Code; The Arusha Declaration; The Law of the Tax Authority; The Customs Authority Act and a MoU between the Government and the CCI-TL. The Tax Law and the VAT Law are awaiting approval by the Council of Ministers. We held consultations on draft Tax Law and VAT policy and legislation and Customs Procedures Code with Parliament, the President's Office, the private sector and civil society. On the expenditure side, we started the first phase of Program Budgeting, which covered 10 government agencies and 15 autonomous funds and services, and we ensured, for the first time, the connection between the Plan and the Budget and its integration into the Financial Management System. To support this demanding process, we also invited the OECD to produce an outline of the Program Budget Roadmap for Timor-Leste, which is the result of extensive consultation with Government, National Parliament’s Commission C, Civil Society, Development Partners, Academics, the Media and the Private Sector.

• Economic Reform - We have created the Economic Coordination Structure whose mandate is to propose and implement concrete measures and actions to implement the Guide to Economic Reform and Growth for Timor-Leste 2015-17 which has already been approved. The ongoing Economic Reform has involved reviewing the organizational structures, policies and legislation that have a direct impact on private investment, including a review of the structure and operation of TradeInvest, the operation of SERVE and the approval of some laws already submitted To the National Parliament, namely the Private Investment Law, the Commercial Companies Law and the Export Promotion Law, among others.

• Legislative and Justice Sector Reform - We have established the Commission for Legislative and Justice Sector Reform (CRL) which is preparing reports on the reform of Criminal Procedural Law and Substantive Criminal Law, Customary Law, Civil Code, and the organization of judicial tribunals and the training of human resources. The CRL has signed several MoUs, two of them with civil society organizations for the formal and informal justice areas, and is conducting the first phase of the Timor-Leste Justice System Diagnostic.

• We have passed the Special Regime on the Ownership of Immovable Property, which was recently approved unanimously by the National Parliament, and which is a crucial diploma for investment andthe social and economic development of the country. We have submitted to the National Parliament the Law on the General Regime of Expropriations.

• We have reinforced the effectiveness of the criminal investigation with the investiture of the Criminal Investigation Police (PCIC).

• We have approved legal measures essential to the consolidation of the Timorese legal system, with emphasis on the following legal instruments: Indulgence Concession Law (approved and published); Law on Prevention, Suppression and Fight against Trafficking in Persons (approved and published); Law on Prevention, Combat and Repression of Drug Trafficking (approved and published); New Passport Scheme (creates the Electronic Passport); New Public Defender Scheme (creation of access to justice clinics);

• We have set up access to justice clinics (now in its initial phase of implementation)

• We have re-established and strengthened bilateral cooperation in the area of Justice with the adoption of general protocols with Portugal, Cape Verde and Mozambique.

• We completed our leadership of the CPLP [rotating presidency] with almost all sectoral meetings being held; We held the 1st CPLP Global Economic Forum which attracted delegations from more than 20 countries, providing real opportunities for CPLP countries to develop their business in the Asia-Pacific region

• We have continued to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation with the ASEAN countries and established embassies in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Brunei.

• We have successfully carried out the Suco Elections, in a calm and dignified environment, as is proper to our democratic process. We have increased to 21 the number of women elected to the post of Chief of Suco, almost double the number of 2009.

• We have recently inaugurated the main building of the National Election Commission providing the necessary conditions for their important work in the upcoming elections, ensuring democracy in Timor-Leste through the promotion of free and fair electoral processes

• The Government remains committed to maintaining peace, security and stability, and will work with other organizations and State agencies to ensure that the electoral process is democratic, calm and quiet, as our people are already used to, so that all citizens can exercise their democratic rights.

INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR

• We completed and inaugurated the rehabilitation and expansion project of the water supply system of the capital of the municipality of Manatuto, which will supply the sucos of Sau, Ailili, Aiteas and Maabat with drinking water 24 hours a day; we continued to build the water supply system in Oecusse, which registers progress of 59%; The Operation& Maintenance proposal for Manatuto reached 65%; And we conducted the data collection regarding three new water sources in Bobonaro.

• In the municipality of Díli, 263 new water supply connections were installed (total of 700 requests); 1,688 complaints were resolved (total of 4,175); more than $159,850in revenue related to water tariffs was collected and 25,649.91 m3 of water produced.

• We submitted for circulation the Water Resources Policy and Law, Water Supply Policy and Wastewater Legislation before its submission to the Council of Ministers; we started the pilot study of an output-based approach to Manatuto (sanitation systems for municipal centers) and carried out an inventory of the MOPTC State assets.

• We installed 1,062.57 km of new Medium Voltage electricity lines and 1,321.99 Km of Low Voltage electricity lines, benefiting 43,625 people.

• We regulated electricity tariffs and distributed 34,357 units of prepaid electricity meters to all municipalities, benefiting 312,982 families. Revenues of more than $50 million were collected.

• We built 860 km of national roads; 53 kms of municipal roads; 80 kms of urban roads; werehabilitated 100 kms of rural roads and maintained 350 kms of roads; we built 8 bridges and completed 4,800 meters of flood mitigation works.

• We finalized the Master Plans of Water and Sanitation for the capitals of Same, Baucau, Viqueque and Lospalos.

• We finalized the Master Transportation Plan that serves as a basis for investments and improvements planned for the sector. This plan awaits submission to the Council of Ministers.

• We approved in the Council of Ministers the Master Plan and Strategic Investment for Rural Roads and we are implementing the Rural Roads Development Program.

• We continued 696 Basic Infrastructure Projects in the areas of Electric Power, Roads and Bridges, Water and Sanitation, Public Buildings, Finance, Education, Security and Defense and Agriculture, with a total financing of $504,780,236.92from the Infrastructure Fund. These projects encompassed the 12 municipalities and the Special Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno.

• We wrote and developed guidelines for evaluating infrastructure projects in Timor-Leste through the use of multiple criteria, and evaluated 123 new projects in the Infrastructure portfolio of 2017.

• We established guidelines for the preparation of Feasibility Studies for Infrastructure projects in Timor-Leste.

• We collected data for the preparation of the Feasibility Study for the construction of the Tibar Industrial Park and analyzed the study; we made a Technical revision of the proposed Housing Law.

• In the framework of PDIM, more than 70 projects (schools, markets, health centers, residences for doctors, drinking water, chapels, irrigation) were awarded; 67 PDIMP projects were completed and 458 project inspections were carried out.

• In the framework of community heritage ​​rehabilitation, we inspected rehabilitation projects for schools and health facilities and completed more than 740 projects in the education sector in the 12 municipalities.

• We implemented 39 special projects under the direct control of the National Development Agency [ADN].

• We evaluated building projects, bridges, roads, irrigation, flood protection, electricity, etc.: 117 emergency project proposals for 2013; 87 new proposals for 2015; 94 new PDIM proposals for 2016 and conducted 458 inspections.

• We evaluated 402 infrastructure project proposals totaling about $797 million through the National Development Agency. Following the verification the total cost of these proposals was reduced by more than $676 million, representing a saving for the State of more than $116 million.

• We inspected and approved payments for more than 2,683 projects in the 12 municipalities and in the Special Region of Oe-CusseAmbeno. These projects include roads and bridges, buildings, irrigation, ports, airport and flood protection.

• We built 130 prefabricated houses (in 2015) in the Viqueque, Liquiça and Díli municipalities, as part of the Government's commitment to the MDG - Sucosdevelopment initiative.

• We signed the Public-Private Partnership agreement with Timor Port SA for the construction of the Port of Tibar, which is expected to start operating in 2020 and is an essential infrastructure to support Timor-Leste's economic diversification and growth.

• Construction and supervision of the Suai airport is ongoing with 60% of the physical progress completed. The deadline for completion was extended by 453 days due to difficultiesrelated to the construction site and relocation of the cemetery. The construction of the new cemetery was approved by CAFI in December and the contract is under preparation by CNA.

• Construction of the New Neighborhood Project in Lohorai - Suai with 73 houses has reached 90% progress with completion expected by the end of February:the New neighborhood in Holbelis is in the process of identifying land and properties, terms of reference of the construction drawing is completed.

• Construction of Phase I Suai Highway (Suai to Zumalai) with 27% execution. Land owners compensation process completed but the MOPTC requested another plot because of the geological conditions of the land; 101 (total) graves relocated to the new cemetery (contract under preparation by CNA).

• Completion of the repair of theapron and exit taxiwayof Dili airport and the rehabilitation of the vehicle inspection area at MOPTC.

 

SOCIAL SECTOR

• We built15 new pre-schools and rehabilitated 518 basic schools and 30 secondary schools.

• We submitted to the National Development Agency (ADN) the drawingsand Bill of Quantities for rehabilitating15 pre-schools,366 basic schools, 8 general secondary schools and 2 technical and vocational secondary schools, as well as forthe construction of 25 new pre-schools and 9 new technical and vocational secondary schools.

• We distributed 98,488 sets of desks and chairs to basic and secondary schools throughout the territory (94,068 units to basic education schools, 4,150 units to secondary education schools and 270 units to polytechnics).

• We drafted, distributed and translated into Portuguese the lesson plans of the new curriculum for the 1^st cycle of basic education and we are in the final phase of drafting lesson plans for the 2^nd cycle.

• We conducted the mentoring programme for supporting the implementation of the new curriculum for the 1^st and 2^nd cycles of basic education to136 basic schools in 5 municipalities (Liquiçá, Manatuto, Aileu, Viquequeand Dili) and implemented the multilingual education pilot in 5 pre-schools and 5 basic schools in Manatuto, Lautém and Oe-Cusse Ambeno.

• We acquired and printed957,179textbooks and educational materials for the various education levels.

• We distributed school meals to1,505 public, private and Catholic schools, benefiting314,788students and introduced the pilot project for the school lunch program (using pre-prepared food) in Ermera.
  

• We completed the process concerning the 1^st accreditation of pre-schools: 299 pre-schools received accreditation; 3 pre-schools received conditional accreditation and 1 pre-school receiveda suspended accreditation.
  

• We implemented activities in the 13 Learning and School Training Centres (CAFE), with 129 Portuguese teachers and 88 Timorese teachers providing support to 5,880 students and 95 new graduates.

• We launched the Comprehensive Primary Health Care Package and the Health in the Family Programme and conducted 149,592 house calls, providing assistance to 190,168 households and benefiting 902,020 members of those households.

• We conducted the National Vaccination Campaign against polio, covering 501,394 children (95.9%), and against measles and rubeola, covering 484,850 children and young people under the age of 15 (96.65%).

• 53% of pregnant women benefited from at least 4 prenatal care visits; 66% of births were assisted by health professionals; 71% of children under the age of one were given all recommended vaccines.

• 60% of people over 60 received visits by health professionals.

• 7,730 elderly people benefitted from ambulatory, emergency and hospitalization services (the 2010 Census registered a total of 57,791 elderly people in the country).

• 88.1% of households evaluated; SISCa Programme 56% completed.

•  We improved the quality of the medical emergency services:

- Average length of stay (ALOS):Referral Hospital of Baucau – 8 days; Maliana – 5 days; Suai – 6 days; NHGV – 6 days; Maubisse – 5 days; Oecusse – 5 days.

-  Net Death Rate (NDR) for every 1,000 patients: Referral Hospital of Baucau – 23; Maliana – 20; Suai – 6; NHGV – 21; Maubisse – 20; Oecusse – 29.

-  Bed Occupation Rate (BOR): Referral Hospital of Baucau – 87%; Maliana – 156%;Suai – 65%; NHGV – 104%; Maubisse – 89%; Oecusse – 110%.

-  Gross Death Rate (GDR) in Medical Emergencies for every 1,000 patients:NHGV – 41; Referral Hospital of Baucau – 40; Maliana – 44; Suai – 21; Maubisse – 36; and Oecusse – 41.

• Training provided to 208 doctors, 165 nurses, 157 midwives and 120 technical staff.

• We revisedthe Maternal and Child Health Strategy, the National Mental Health Strategy, the National Medication Policy and the Health Policy Development Manual.

• We built 57 Health Clinics: 4 in Aileu; 5 in Ainaro; 3 in Bobonaro; 4 in Covalima; 8 in Ermera; 8 inLautém; 3 in Liquiçá; 7 in Manatuto; 5 in Manufahi and 10 in Viqueque.

• We rehabilitated 22 Health Centres (out of a total 68 Health Centres) in the following Municipalities: 1 in Aileu; 3 in Ainaro; 5 in Baucau; 4 in Bobonaro; 1 in Covalima; 2 in Ermera; 4 in Manatuto and 2 in Manufahi.

• We inaugurated the Eduardo Ximenes Regional Hospital in Baucau, which will serve the Municipality of Baucau and the neighbouring municipalities of Viqueque, Manatuto and Lautém. Presently this Hospital is staffed by 227 health professionals, including 25 doctors and specialists, 98 nurses and 22 midwives.

• We approved the Decree-Law on the Tobacco Control and the Social Security Law, with a budget of $26.994 millionin 2017.

• We provided support to over 400 minors at risk and to victims of abuse/DV/GBV;we made payments to around 96,000 beneficiaries (elderly and disabled persons), we granted scholarships to over 200 children of martyrs and assisted approximately 54,000 people per year through the Bolsa da Mãe programme.

• We paid over 27,700 survival pensions over the year to veterans and martyrs, totalling approximately $26 million.

• We signed the Maubisse Declaration concerning equal opportunities for women in terms of education and professional training, access to the labour market and social and political life

• We approved the National Action Plan on Gender Based Violence 2017-2021 and the National Action Plan on the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. ENDS