Minister of Tourism inaugurates Balibo’s Pousada
The Government of Timor-Leste, through the Minister of Tourism, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, inaugurated the historical Balibo’s Pousada, on September 17th, and took part on the 10th anniversary’s celebration of “Balibo Fort”, a joint project of Timor-Leste and Australia.
Kalbuadi Lay informed that this commemoration is aimed to perpetuate Balibo’s history and the memory of the Australian journalists who sacrificed their life fighting for Timor-Leste’s liberation.
“I thank, in name of the Government, to Balibo Trust, to the sub district Administrator, to the community of Balibo and the national and international partners who have contributed to Balibo’s development. Very soon, the Balibo’s Hotel will be built. Timor-Leste has a great potential in tourism due to its beauty, its natural landscape, which in the future maybe very beneficial for the country", said the Minister of Tourism.
The Balibo House Trust made a 30 year’s lease contract. The project began in 2002, in partnership with the Government of Victoria, aiming to preserve history and archaeological originality of Balibo’s Wall that, simultaneously, serves as a museum.
Present at the ceremony were the Minister of Tourism, the Vice-President of the National Parliament, a representative of the Australian Government, the Ambassador of Australia, the Ambassador of New Zealand, civil society’s representatives and national and international partners.
