Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Ninth Constitutional Government

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Press Release

Meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 16th, 2023

The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, for the second amendment to Decree-Law No. 6/2018, of March 14^th, which sets the amount of the subsidy to be granted by the State to candidates for the Presidency of the Republic for Electoral Campaigns.

The purpose of this amendment is to make it possible to compensate candidates for the Presidency of the Republic in situations where it is necessary to hold a second ballot in the same presidential election, whereby the amount of the subsidy to be paid to each of the candidates taking part in the second ballot will be paid for all the votes obtained by them in the second round of the election.

….

The draft Decree-Law, presented by Minister Agio Pereira, approving the Organic of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, was approved.

The Presidency of the Council of Ministers is the central government department chaired by the Prime Minister and assisted by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. This Ministry is responsible for providing support to the Council of Ministers and the other government members who are part of it, as well as promoting inter-ministerial coordination of the Government through its bodies, the respective support and advisory offices, services within the direct administration of the State and legal persons within the indirect administration of the State.

….

The Council of Ministers also approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas, on the Organic of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation is the government department responsible for designing, executing, coordinating and evaluating the policy defined and approved by the Council of Ministers on foreign policy and international cooperation, consular functions and the promotion and defence of the interests of Timorese citizens abroad.

….

Also approved was the draft Decree-Law, presented by Minister Amândio de Sá Benevides, approving the Organic of the Ministry of Justice.

The Ministry of Justice is the government department responsible for designing, implementing, coordinating and evaluating the policy defined and approved by the Council of Ministers on justice, law, human rights, and land and property.

….

The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by Minister Elia A. A. dos Reis Amaral, approving the Organic of the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Health is the government department responsible for designing, implementing, coordinating and evaluating the policy defined and approved by the Council of Ministers on health and pharmaceutical activities.

….

The Council of Ministers also approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by Minister Samuel Marçal, on the Organic of the Ministry of Public Works.

The Ministry of Public Works is the government department responsible for designing, executing, coordinating and evaluating the policy defined and approved by the Council of Ministers on public works, housing, supply, distribution and management of water, sanitation and electricity and the execution of urban planning and housing.

….

The draft Decree-Law, presented by Minister Verónica das Dores, on the Organic Structure of the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, was also approved.

The Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion is the government department responsible for designing, implementing, coordinating and evaluating the policy defined and approved by the Council of Ministers on social security, social assistance and community reintegration and social inclusion.

….

The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by Minister Francisco da Costa Monteiro, on the Organic of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources is the government department responsible for designing and implementing energy policy and the management of mineral resources, including oil, natural gas and other minerals as defined in the applicable legislation approved by the Council of Ministers, as well as licensing and regulating extractive activities and industrial activity for the processing of oil and natural gas and minerals, including petrochemicals and refining, as well as hydrogen and carbon capture and utilisation (CCUS) projects in geological reservoirs and salt cavities.

…..

Also presented by the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, five draft Decree Laws were approved:

for the second amendment to Decree-Law no. 31/2011, of July 27^th, TIMOR GAP – Timor Gás & Petróleo, E.P.. This amendment aims to correct inaccuracies and flaws detected, adapt the governance structure of TIMOR GAP, E.P. to the standard followed by international and national companies in the energy sector, and expand its scope of action to meet the energy transition challenges better. The aim is also to simplify and optimise the law, repealing provisions already included in other applicable legislation to avoid duplication and confusion. The objective of this strategic reorientation is for TIMOR GAP, E.P. to focus on its priority mission, avoiding unnecessary dispersion in unprofitable commercial activities, while strategic projects for the future of Timor-Leste have not made the desired progress. Lastly, the aim is to increase the degree of transparency and control of TIMOR GAP, E.P.’s activities, bringing them into line with international best practices and national legislation, helping to restore the sector’s credibility and maintain Timor-Leste’s status in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

for the third amendment to Decree-Law no. 20/2008, of June 19^th, which established the National Petroleum Authority. With this amendment, the National Petroleum Authority will once again assume powers and duties exclusively focused on matters in the oil and gas sector and related areas, thus being able to focus on the industry and allocating all its resources to its development so that it can make an effective contribution, as it has so far, to the country’s economic development, thus allowing the State to invest in other priority economic and social sectors. The rules for organising the ANP’s executive structure have also been reformulated, prioritising its team’s merit and technical skills and expanding the scope of its operations to cover new areas arising from the energy transition.

for the establishment of the National Minerals Authority, a public institute whose remit is to act as a regulatory institution for the mineral resources sector in scrupulous compliance with the provisions of the Mining Code and any existing or future legislation or regulations governing the mineral resources sector. The National Minerals Authority’s regulatory powers are strictly confined to the regulated sector. They are restricted to setting technical operating standards and administrative requirements or regulating non-compliance with either, in strict dependence on and compliance with the laws in force, including, in particular, Article 157(2) of the Mining Code.

for the dissolution of Companhia Mineira de Timor-Leste, S.A. and the establishment of Murak Rai Timor, E.P.. Considering the evidence of mineral wealth and the significant increase in the number of private individuals interested in investing in the mineral resources sector, it is imperative to provide the State with the necessary mechanisms to act efficiently, clearly and transparently in this vital sector of the national economy. Given that the national priorities and strategic interests, as set out in the 9th Constitutional Government’s Programme, recommend a thorough review of the way the State participates in Mining Activities, namely through the extinction of Companhia Mineira de Timor-Leste, S.A., and the establishment of a Public Company capable of operating in the sector fully and effectively, and under the effective tutelage and supervision of the Government.

for the first amendment to Decree-Law no. 33/2012, of July 18^th, which established the Institute of Petroleum and Geology. Whereas the Institute of Petroleum and Geology (IPG) was created more than 11 years ago, the aim is to update its organisation and mission, ensuring the continuous improvement of knowledge about existing geological resources and the possibility of using them sustainably in a circular economy concept, with its transformation into the Institute of Petroleum and Geology. The primary mission of this public institute will be to promote and carry out research, demonstration and knowledge transfer, technical and technological assistance, laboratory support and other services for companies in geosciences and geo-technologies.

….

Lastly, the Council of Ministers decided to contribute US$ 100,000 to the ASEAN Technical Secretariat in Jakarta for administrative expenses. END