Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Dili, July 18th, 2017
Roundtable discussions involving public and private sector support growth
A roundtable meeting between the public sector and private sector held at Timor Plaza on the 14th of July was another demonstration of the inclusive approach of the Sixth Constitutional Government and the importance placed on supporting the development of a strong and dynamic private sector to achieve sustainable development.
The Interim Prime Minister, Agio Pereira, in his opening remarks said “Promoting dialogue between the public and private sector is essential so that we may achieve our common goals of sustainable development and economic diversification”, and commended the Minister of State, Coordinator of Economic Affairs and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, H.E. Estanislau da Silva and his team for this initiative.
The meeting was the third conducted under the framework of the 2015-2017 Guide for Economic Reform and Growth of Timor-Leste which guides the Government’s efforts to promote private investment, encourage economic diversification and support sustainable employment. Since the adoption of the Guide, which sits within the broader Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030, the Government has been relentlessly pursuing its recommendations to “accelerate the process of economic development in the short and medium term, while setting the foundations for the long term development of Timor-Leste.”
The opening remarks at the roundtable listed the conditions that the Government had worked to establish the enable the development of the private sector. These include promoting peace and stability, building essential economic infrastructure, developing the capacity of human resources, creating conditions favorable to business and investment, promoting cooperation and partnerships, ensuring professional public administration and combating the scourge of corruption.
Similar meetings and modalities that bring the Government closer to the citizens have included the Trade Facilitation Committee and the development of Social Auditing.
The Interim Prime Minister encouraged the members from the private sector to “take on, with responsibility and commitment, this mission of developing businesses that are assets to Timor-Leste, opening a new chapter in our history where the private sector, rather than the State, drives economic growth and projects the country at the regional and global level” and welcomed the interaction as one that “can ultimately benefit our economy, our people and our Nation. ENDS