Government and USAID jointly define Tourism sector development priorities to increase revenue for Timor-Leste's economy
The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry and the Office of the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) "Tourism for All" programme, hosted a workshop on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the tourism sector. The workshop was held on July 22nd, 2022.
The event took place in the auditorium of the Ministry of Finance and had as its main objective the discussion between the two parties, Government and USAID, over the priorities for the projects to be developed with the PPP modality in the tourism sector in Timor-Leste.
“Setting tourism sector priorities together is very important to contribute to the revenue sustainability of a nation's economy”, said USAID Timor-Leste Mission Chief, Zema Semunegus.
The Vice Minister of Finance, António Freitas, also argued the importance of this workshop to “define a consensus between the Government and our partner, so that we can move forward with some priorities to be achieved in the short term to contribute to the revenue of the Timor-Leste’s economy”.
“On behalf of the 8th Constitutional Government”, the Vice Minister expressed “his sincere appreciation for the USAID “Tourism for All” program that has always collaborated with the Government, with its good ideas for the development of Timor-Leste's tourism sector”.
There are several projects planned in the PPP modality in the tourism sector, which include an eco-lodge in Ataúro, domestic and international aviation, intervention in the Marobo hot springs, the concession of a ferry, preservation of the Ai-Pelo prison, intervention in the Nino Konis Santana National Park, in the Ramelau and Matebian tourist sites, in the One Dollar Beach, in the Díli Convention Centre, reinvestment in the national lodges and their management, Art and Culture Centre and a public bicycle system in Díli.
The Strategic Development Plan (SDP) 2011 - 2030 served as the basis of the 8th Constitutional Government's Programme to identify the strategic infrastructures to be developed during the mandate, such as roads, bridges, water and sanitation, electricity, port, airport and telecommunications. To achieve this objective, the SDP also defines PPPs as a strategic investment modality.
In 2014, the Government of Timor-Leste first chose to use the PPP modality and since then the Ministry of Finance has begun to establish a PPP Unit, prepare legislation and recruit staff with technical skills for the PPP Unit. All these efforts are aimed at ensuring that PPP projects are implemented with high quality to provide positive economic, financial and social returns for Timor-Leste.
