Government of Timor-Leste

For the first time, as an independent and sovereign Country, Timor-Leste is represented at a World Exposition.
The Expo 2010 Shanghai-China signifies, for this young country, an excellent opportunity to show itself to the world, but at the same time it requires good organization and a significant investment.

The initial attributed budget was of 700 thousand dollars for the implementation of the secretariat in Timor-Leste. “Afterwards there was a request of an additional and equal amount for the implementation of the project in Shanghai, especially for logistics throughout the 6 months duration of the exposition. We needed to guarantee travelling, accommodation and other needs for the staff that will stay there. I also highlight that China contributed for our pavilion’s construction and some logistics” Glória de Castro, of the Timorese organization for the Expo 2010 Shanghai-China, explained to the Government Portal.

Of the second amount attributed by the Government of Timor-Leste, for the country’s participation in the Expo 2010 Shanghai-China, a part of it was applied in the acquisition of literature items. “Instead of taking objects for commercialization, we brought pamphlets and books. We are betting on the visitor’s information, or in other words, on potential tourists for our country”, Glória de Castro clarified and added: “for this budget to become viable, there was support from two Ministries: The Ministry for Tourism, Commerce and Industry facilitated 200 thousand dollars to pay for some of the books, pamphlets and information brochures, and the Ministry of Economy and Development participated with 50 Thousand dollars, also for the acquisition of this kind of information for visitors, in particular, information on accommodation in Timor-Leste”.

The Timor-Leste Commission for the Expo 2010 Shanghai-China also counts with two sponsors: Timor Telecom and the Orient Foundation.

As this is the first experience for an independent Timor-Leste, Glória de Castro considers that “we have to be realistic and I think this was a good plan, to bet first on publicity and information, acquire experience for the future”.
The next World Expo is scheduled for 2012 and will take place in Seoul, in South Korea.

The assistants of the Timor-Leste Pavilion

During the six months that the exposition will be open to the public, young Timorese will be in Shanghai as pavilion assistants, to welcome and accompany visitors to the Timor-Leste pavilion.

There was a selection process for candidates from all over the territory, in order to give everyone an opportunity to participate in this project. After a few people giving up and criteria unfulfilments (knowledge of English was one of those criteria), 45 candidates remained. All of them passed through a selection process which included an interview. In the end, 15 persons were selected that now have a chance to represent Timor-Leste in an initiative of this dimension, which is the Expo 2010 Shanghai-China.

Their main function is to safeguard the interests of the Timor-Leste pavilion, by managing the activities that are undertaken there daily.

“They are, in fact, ambassadors to their land. They will transmit, to all people in the world, about the knowledge, values, traditions, culture, sport, geography and also the politics, among other characteristics, from Timor-Leste.

For more informations, please go to the oficial website of Expo 2010 Shanghai-China or to the website  Timor-Leste para a Expo 2010 Shanghai China.