Government of Timor-Leste

Today, October 26^th, 2023, the National Parliament analyzed the legislative amendment proposals related to the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cússe Ambeno (RAEOA) and the Administrative Division of the Territory concerning the legal-administrative qualification of the Atauro island. 

The detailed debate was attended by the Minister of Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, representing the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, accompanied by the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral and the Vice Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Adérito Hugo da Costa.

Regarding the proposed amendment to Law no.3/2014, which established the RAEOA and the Special Social Market Economy Zone of Oe-Cússe Ambeno and Ataúro, the aim is to improve the RAEOA’s status, updating it to reflect changes in the management of the National Public Administration and Public Finances. The relationship of tutelage and superintendence that the Government exercises over the region has also been adjusted, with the strengthening of control mechanisms and the budgetary and financial autonomy of the RAEOA. All references to the Special Social Market Economy Zone of Oe-Cússe Ambeno and Ataúro have also been removed to make it possible to establish a model that can be adopted in different parts of the national territory, with the definition of the special economic development zones being delegated to a separate piece of legislation.

As for the proposal to amend Law no. 11/2009, which approves the Administrative Division of the Territory, which was approved in general terms, the aims are to extinguish the municipality of Ataúro and create a new first-level administrative division called “Ataúro”, in line with the special administrative and economic treatment provided for in article 5 of the Constitution of the Republic. This amendment aims to lay the foundations for a new model of organisation and operation for Ataúro’s local administration, which will have the means and the appropriate and necessary legal framework to drive forward the process of infrastructure in that territory, ensure the provision of essential goods and services to local communities and trigger economic and the well-being of the population in Ataúro.

The Law Proposals will now be subject to a final overall vote.