Media Releases
23 of May of 2020Celebration of Idul FitriPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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May 24, 2020
Press Release
Celebration of Idul Fitri
The Government presents its congratulations and solidarity to the Muslim community of Timor-Leste at the celebrations of Idul Fitri, which marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan.
This festive moment for Muslim families, not only in our country, but in all Islamic communities around the world, in which we are all reminded of the importance of family and friends, as well as the value of unity and tolerance, is this year lived under unique circumstances due to the pandemic of the new coronavirus.
Idul Fitri gives us the opportunity to strengthen the bonds of friendship and respect for other peoples, cultures and religions, as well as the opportunity to reflect on the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in order to contribute to a more just and peaceful world.
The people of Timor-Leste continue to embrace a variety of traditions, cultures, and religions, which characterize the nation and the universal values of forgiveness, friendship, tolerance and peace. ENDS- 21 of May of 2020Clarification on air transport Dili - DarwinPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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May 21, 2020
Press Release
Clarification on air transport Dili - Darwin
Following a report from a national media outlet and its dissemination on social media, the Government reports that under the agreement signed between the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Airnorth, the airline has been operating three flights a week between Dili and Darwin since April 10, 2020, in response to large-scale travel restrictions enacted to slow the spread of COVID-19, which have left Timor-Leste isolated without global connectivity for the movement of goods, medical supplies or passengers in emergencies.
In this regard, this agreement allows the transport of medical supplies, medical emergencies and the supply of essential goods and services to citizens and companies in the national territory. The Government also informs that any revenue generated, up to the total amount paid by the agreed air service, for the sale of passenger seats or the transport of goods will be paid by Airnorth to the Government of Timor-Leste, which in this way reduces the total cost of the operation. ENDS
- 21 of May of 2020Meeting of the Council of Ministers on May 21, 2020Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of May 21, 2020
The Council of Ministers met at the Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Auditorium, at the Ministry of Finance, in Dili and approved the draft deliberation, presented by the Minister of Justice, Manuel Cárceres da Costa, on the exceptional authorization of the use of smaller capital funds in duodecimal regime. This resolution aims to allow the payment of services provided for the supply of computer equipment and furniture to the Ministry of Justice.
The Council of Ministers approved the draft deliberation, presented by the Acting Minister of Finance, Sara Lobo Brites, on the authorisation for the conclusion of an agreement between the Governments of Timor-Leste and Australia on a direct financial contribution to be made by the Government of Australia, worth seven million Australian dollars, to support community resilience and economic recovery in Timor-Leste during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Council of Ministers delegated the competence to sign the agreement to the Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Government of Timor-Leste.
The Acting Minister of Finance also presented the draft resolution, approved by the Council of Ministers, concerning the authorisation to conclude an agreement between the Government of Timor-Leste and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on a grant under the "Leaving no one behind in Timor-Leste's COVID-19 response - Financial Support for the Implementation of the cash transfer scheme for low-income households". Under the terms of this agreement, the ILO will donate to the Government of Timor-Leste the amount of US$748,000 to finance the operational costs of implementing support to Timorese households, approved by Decree-Law No. 15/2020 of April 30. The Acting Minister of Finance was given full powers to sign this agreement.
The Council of Ministers approved the authorization for the conclusion of the contract for the purchase of 30,000 tons of rice from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, presented by the National Supply Commission of Timor-Leste, the Ministry of Planning and Strategic Investment and the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry to strengthen the existing rice stock in the country and to cope with a possible shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Council of Ministers delegated to the Administrator of the National Logistics Center (CNL), representing the Government of Timor-Leste, the competence to sign the contract.
The Council of Ministers approved the Organic of the Eight Constitutional Government, introducing two amendments, in relation to the diploma approved at the last meeting of the Executive. The first amendment concerns the hierarchy of the members of the Government. Thus, the Prime Minister precedes the two Deputy Ministers, followed by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, who precedes the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, followed by the other ministers according to the structure approved last week. The approved Decree-Law also provides for a change in the powers conferred on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, who is responsible for organising, boosting or participating in any type of activities that are necessary for the establishment and operation of a sub-regional integrated economic cooperation and development platform between Timor-Leste, Indonesia and Australia.
In accordance with the amendment introduced in the organic law, the Council of Ministers also approved the draft Decree-Law on the extinction of the ad hoc mission unit for integrated sub regional economic development and its organic structure. This law is repeals the Decree-Law No. 17/2014, of July 16, with the duties of this unit now continued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
The Council of Ministers approved the timetable for preparing the General State Budget for fiscal year 2020. According to the approved timetable, the proposed Law should be considered at the Meeting of the Council of Ministers on 22 July 2020 and submitted to the National Parliament on 30 July 2020. ENDS 
13 of May of 2020Meeting of the Council of Ministers on May 13, 2020Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of May 13, 2020
The Council of Ministers met in the Auditorium Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, at the Ministry of Finance, in Dili and approved the Draft Law presented by the Minister of Defense, Filomeno da Paixão de Jesus, regarding the first amendment to Law Nº 3/2010, of April 21, National Defense Law. This amendment aims to promote better harmonization between the National Defense Law and a set of central documents in the definition of the National Defense Policy and the formulation of the state's strategic-military action, namely the Strategic Concept of National Defense, the Military Strategic Concept, the National Forces System, the Missions of the Armed Forces and the F-FDTL Force. This amendment enshrines the competence of the Prime Minister to propose to the Council of Ministers, together with the member of the Government with competence in the field of Defence, the appointment and dismissal of the Head of the Armed Forces. The composition of the Superior Council of Military Defense is also modified, the process of appointing and exonerating the General Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces is clarified, the General Support Forces are removed from the general organization of the F-FDTL, the Support Agencies and the General Support Forces are integrated into the General Staff of the Armed Forces. The composition of the organic structure of the F-FDTL is also amended and the Government is expected to approve the Military Discipline Regulation.
The Council of Ministers approved the framework for cooperation for sustainable development, between the Government of Timor-Leste and the United Nations, for the period between 2021 and 2025, presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dionísio da Costa Babo Soares. This cooperation agreement provides for six strategic priorities: 1 - Nutrition, Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture; 2 - Sustainable economic opportunities and decent work for all; 3 - Child development and lifelong learning outcomes and skills; 4 - Quality health care and well-being; 5 - Responsible, inclusive and participatory governance and quality public services; 6 - Sustainable management of natural resources and resilience to climate change. The Council of Ministers has given the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation full powers to sign the agreement.
The Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, presented the draft Decree-Law, approved by the Council of Ministers, concerning the first amendment to Decree-Law No. 14/2018, of August 17, on the Organic of the VIII Constitutional Government. Through this law, it is now envisaged the existence of two Deputy Prime Ministers who will assist the Prime Minister in the exercise of his powers, a Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Communications, a Minister of Planning and Territorial Land Use, a Deputy Minister for Cultural and Community Tourism, a Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry and a Deputy Minister of the Interior. The government positions of Minister of Legislative Reform and Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment are extinguished. It also removes the role of a Minister of State. With this Decree-Law, the tasks on legislative reform, legislative process and administrative reform are placed under the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. The Ministry of Justice will concentrate all the Government's tasks on judicial reform. The Ministry of Planning and Territorial Land Use, which follows the defunct Ministry of Planning and Strategic Investment, will be responsible for government tasks in the field of planning and territorial land use management, leaving the Ministry of Public Works to pursue any tasks in urban planning. It is also no longer foreseen in the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the existence of the G7+ Secretariat with the National Procurement Commission becomes part of the Ministry of Finance. ENDS
08 of May of 2020Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers May 8, 2020Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of May 8, 2020
The Council of Ministers met at the Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Auditorium, at the Ministry of Finance, in Dili and approved a draft Decree-Law, presented last Wednesday by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, on the moratorium on compliance with obligations arising from credit concession contracts under the economic policy of response to COVID-19. This Decree-Law aims to respond to the constraints and difficulties resulting from the decrease in revenues and incomes inherent in the slowdown of the economy due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the risk of a spiral of non-compliance, which could have negative effects on the financial system and consequently on the real economy. The approved Diploma establishes a moratorium on the fulfillment of capital and interest obligations arising from credit agreements, delaying their maturity by three months. There is also a reduction to 40% during three months following the entry into force of the diploma, of the obligation to pay interest in the debtor's charge, with the remaining 60% being financed by the State.
The Council of Ministers also approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, regarding the first amendment to Decree-Law No. 12/2020 of April 14, which regulates the COVID-19 Fund. In order to respond to the difficulties encountered and to ensure faster processing of procurement procedures and the conclusion of public contracts aimed at responding to urgent situations, this decree confers on the Council of Ministers the competence, through a Government Decree, to allow, in duly justified and transitory cases, the bodies of a particular governmental department or public legal person to perform acts whose competence would, in principle, be included in the framework of tasks of another governmental department or public legal person. With the approval of this Decree-Law, the Directors-General, responsible for the financial services of the various government departments, are also granted the competence to authorize the performance of procurement procedures for the award of public contracts, the expenditure of which is financed by the COVID-19 Fund, and which do not exceed ONE million US dollars, as well as to sign the contracts awarded following the performance of these procurement procedures. ENDS
06 of May of 2020Meeting of the Council of Ministers on May 6, 2020Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of May 6, 2020
The Council of Ministers met at the Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Auditorium, at the Ministry of Finance, in Dili and heard a presentation by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, on the draft Decree-Law on the moratorium on compliance with obligations arising from credit concession contracts, under the economic policy of response to COVID-19. This Decree-Law aims to respond to the constraints and difficulties resulting from the decrease in revenues and incomes inherent in the slowdown of the economy due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the risk of a spiral of non-compliance, which could have negative effects on the financial system and consequently on the real economy. This project will be re-examined at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers.
The Council of Ministers approved the appointment of Timóteo de Deus (effective member) and Ana Paula Marçal (alternate) as Government Representatives in the Superior Council of the Public Prosecutor's Office, proposed by the Minister of Justice, Manuel Cárceres da Costa.
The members of the Government approved three draft deliberations, presented by the Minister of Public Works, Salvador Soares dos Reis Pires, relating to a Memorandum of Understanding and two Cooperation Protocols with public entities in Portugal.
The first draft deliberation approved refers to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Economy and Employment of the Portuguese Republic and the Ministry of Public Works together with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste in the field of Energy (Electricity and Fuels), Geology and Mines.
The Cooperation Protocol between the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy of the Portuguese Republic and the Ministry of Public Works of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on Water, Sanitation, Drainage and Solid Waste Management was also approved.
Finally, the members of the Government approved the Protocol between IP Engenharia, S.A. and the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, within the framework of the Organization and Management of the Timor-Leste Road Network. ENDS
- 05 of May of 2020Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers May 5, 2020Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of May 5, 2020
The Council of Ministers met at the Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Auditorium at the Ministry of Finance in Dili and approved the draft Deliberation, presented by the Acting Minister of Finance, Sara Lobo Brites, on the final temporary budget appropriations for the month of May 2020 in the amount of US$122,228,000 (including the payment of loans).
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, also presented by the Acting Minister of Finance, on the value of the remuneration supplement, created by Decree-Law No. 17/2020, for officials, agents and public administration workers who provide their activity in the prevention or control services of COVID-19, during the term of the state of emergency. This salary supplement varies between 5 and 25 U.S. dollars, for each effective working day of the beneficiary, during the term of the state of emergency, according to the degree of risk to which employees are exposed. Payment will be made monthly, with the monthly salary. This Government Resolution takes effect on 28 March 2020, the date on which the state of emergency began. The amount of the supplement for the period from 28 March to the entry into force of this diploma shall be paid with the remuneration of the month of May. The identification of the beneficiaries and the accounting of the number of days to be paid will be made by the respective Ministries. ENDS - 29 of April of 2020Meeting of the Council of Ministers on April 29, 2020Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Eighth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of April 29, 2020
The Council of Ministers met at the Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Auditorium, at the Ministry of Finance in Dili and approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães and the Governor of the Central Bank of Timor-Leste (BCTL), Abraão de Vasconselos, on the first amendment to Decree-Law No. 23/2017, of July 12, concerning the Credit Guarantee System (SGC). This amendment extends access to the GSC to micro-enterprises, increasing the type of economic activities eligible for the programme. The credit guarantee scheme is a support mechanism for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), through which the State shares the risk of lending with commercial banks, granting a guarantee covering up to a maximum amount of 70% of loans granted and meeting the established legal requirements. The Main Objective of the GSC is to contribute to a solid and viable business sector that promotes entrepreneurship, job creation and the growth of the national economy.
Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak presented the draft Government Decree, approved by the Council of Ministers, on the Measures for Implementing the Renewal of the Declaration of the State of Emergency enacted by decree of the President of the Republic No. 32/2020, of April 27, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In view of the renewal of the declaration of the state of emergency, the Government through this Decree ensures its implementation by adopting the necessary measures that prevent the disease, contain the pandemic, save lives and ensure the subsistence of the supply chains of essential goods and services for our population, even if they may limit some fundamental rights and freedoms.
With regard to Government Decree No. 3/2020 of March 28, the prohibition on foreigners entering national territory is maintained, with the exceptions previously provided for and with the exception of all foreigners who conduct their professional activity in the oil sector.
The rules for the sanitary control of entries and exits of national territory remain the same. With regard to the rules of social distancing, the Diploma states that the agents of the security forces must recommend that all individuals comply with the defined rules, order the dispersion of agglomerations of people, inform that resistance to the order of compliance may constitute a crime of disobedience, identify individuals who violate the rules and communicate these occurrences to the Public Prosecutor's Office.
This Government Decree allows public transport activity, provided that vehicles are sanitized daily before starting the activity and provided that drivers, crews and passengers wear protective masks and avoid any form of physical contact.
With regard to the rules on access to commercial establishments and services, the rules on the compulsory use of masks for customers and employees, hand washing before entry into the premises and respect for the physical distance of at least one and a half metres are maintained. Security forces and inspectors of the food and economic safety authority may order individuals who do not comply with the rules to leave the establishment, identify individuals and report the case to the Public Prosecutor's Office. These rules also apply to markets, with the provision by the authorities and municipal administrations of the necessary conditions and for monitoring compliance with the established rules. Street vendors are required to wear a protective mask permanently and must keep a distance of at least one metre from other street vendors.
The measures established ealier relating to the functioning of the public administration and access to its facilities are maintained, the list of public services considered essential is increased and the list of activities in which the right to strike is suspended is defined.
The Government Decree now approved states that the member of the Government responsible for health, may determine, when this appears necessary for the protection of public health, the temporary request for use of private spaces and establishments. In duly justified cases, the Council of Ministers may request real estate or goods from individuals.
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Decree, presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dionísio da Costa Babo Soares, which approves the regulation on the subsidy to Timorese citizens who are or temporarily reside abroad and other non-residents who are held abroad, given the epidemiological situation of the new Coronavirus. The amount of the monthly subsidy depends on the cost of living of the host country. Beneficiaries of this measure are non-scholarship timorese students who depend exclusively on the financial support of the family residing in Timor-Leste and Timorese citizens who, due to the closure of the borders, were prevented from returning to Timor-Leste.
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law on the second amendment to the Statute of the Military of Falintil-Defense Forces of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL), approved by Decree-Law No. 7/2014 of March 12. This amendment aims to reconcile the Statute of the F-FDTL with a set of structuring documents in the area of Defense and with the current legal context, namely, the National Defense Law, the Strategic Concept of National Defense, the Military Strategic Concept, the National Force System, the Missions of the Armed Forces and the F-FDTL Force. ENDS
