Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

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April 21^st, 2026

Press Release

Government expresses deepest condolences on the passing of José Honório da Costa Pereira Jerónimo, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Culture

The Government of Timor-Leste was deeply saddened to learn today, April 21^st, 2026, of the unexpected passing of José Honório da Costa Pereira Jerónimo, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Culture.

José Honório da Costa Pereira Jerónimo was born in Bazartete, in the municipality of Liquiçá, on February 15^th, 1973. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Development Studies in 2001 from the Mandala Institute of Technology and Sciences in Indonesia and completed his master’s degree in the same field in 2010 at Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana in Salatiga, Indonesia.

He has held academic positions at the National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL) since 2001, serving in various leadership roles across university administration, including Department Chair, Dean, Associate Dean, and Vice Rector. He was also a member of the UNTL General Council and served as Commercial Attaché at the Embassy of Timor-Leste in Jakarta from 2013 to 2015.

Since 1994, he has been a member of the student organisation “National Resistance of East Timorese Students” (RENETIL – acronym in Portuguese) as part of the struggle for national liberation.

On July 1^st, 2023, he was sworn in as Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Culture in the 9th Constitutional Government, taking responsibility for the formulation and implementation of public policies in the areas of higher education, science, and technology, as well as for coordinating the institutions in the sector under his supervision.

Agio Pereira, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Government Spokesperson, expressed his “deep sorrow at the loss of José Honório da Costa Pereira Jerónimo, who leaves a significant legacy in the development of higher education in Timor-Leste and in the strengthening of national academic institutions, having dedicated his life to public service, education, and national development”. He added that “the Government extends its most sincere condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and all Timorese at this time of mourning”. END

 

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On April 18^th, 2026, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, accompanied by Minister of Public Works Samuel Marçal, inaugurated the rehabilitation of the Maliana urban road in the municipality of Bobonaro to improve mobility, facilitate access to economic activities, and strengthen connectivity in the region. 

This project forms part of the 9th Constitutional Government’s investments in road infrastructure, aimed at improving traffic conditions and supporting local and national economic development. The rehabilitated road spans approximately 48 kilometres between Nunura and Maliana Vila, including roads within the city.

The project was carried out by two international companies and funded by the Government through the Ministry of Public Works, with an investment of over US$33 million. Before the work began, the road was in poor condition, which hindered the movement of people and goods, particularly during the rainy season.

During the ceremony, the President of the Bobonaro Municipal Authority, Paulo Moniz Maia, expressed the community’s satisfaction and gratitude for the project’s benefits, highlighting its impact on mobility, the revitalisation of the local economy, and the improvement of living conditions.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister noted that basic infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, contributes to national development by facilitating the movement of goods, connecting communities, and providing access to services and markets. He also emphasised that improved road connections facilitate the integration of rural areas into economic networks.

The new road directly benefits more than 130,000 residents of the municipality of Bobonaro. It improves access to areas of economic, social, and tourist interest, including Marobo and other parts of the region.

At the end of the ceremony, certificates of appreciation were presented to the companies and teams involved in the project’s execution and supervision.

Vice Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Adérito Hugo da Costa; Secretary of State for Electricity, Water, and Sanitation, Santos Noronha; representatives of the Indonesian and Malaysian embassies; Member of the Parliament, Maria Gorumali Barreto; municipal and local officials; representatives of the Catholic Church; and members of the community also attended the ceremony.

The rehabilitation of the Maliana urban road is part of a series of ongoing projects to strengthen the national road network and support national economic development.

 

On April 17^th, 2026, in Dili, Duílio Marino Gusmão Araújo da Silva was sworn in as Executive Director of the Timor-Leste Investment and Export Promotion Agency, I.P. (TradeInvest Timor-Leste), and Roberto da Costa Cabral Lai was appointed Deputy Executive Director of the same institution for a three-year term, at a ceremony presided over by Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay. 

The ceremony was held at the Office of the Vice Prime Minister and attended by the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Agostinho Letêncio de Deus; the Commissioner for Workforce Planning, José Telo Soares Cristóvão; and other guests.

The appointment of the two officials was based on the Council of Ministers’ decision dated April 8^th, 2026, as well as an order from the Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, which recognises the merit, technical expertise, and years of dedicated service of the new leaders at the institution.

During the ceremony, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay emphasised that the Government’s trust rests on the competence and dedication demonstrated by both appointees in their duties at TradeInvest. He also noted that this moment marks the beginning of a responsibility to the nation, particularly to strengthen the economy and serve the people of Timor-Leste.

“The success of your term in office will be judged by tangible progress in attracting investment, expanding business opportunities, and contributing to the sustainable development of our economy,” said the Vice Prime Minister.

The Minister also urged the new leaders to carry out their duties with a sense of responsibility and commitment, emphasising TradeInvest’s central and strategic role in national development.

The President of the Civil Service Commission called for compliance with the rules and guidelines, emphasising the need to act in line with institutional objectives and the State’s interests.

Before their appointments, Duílio Marino Gusmão Araújo da Silva served as Deputy Executive Director of TradeInvest Timor-Leste, while Roberto da Costa Cabral Lai served as Director of Marketing and External Relations at the same institution.

The new leaders are taking office with the responsibility to strengthen TradeInvest Timor-Leste’s capacity to promote investment and trade opportunities, thereby contributing to the sustainable economic development of Timor-Leste.

On April 18^th, 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, began a series of working visits to Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, and the Philippines to participate in multilateral meetings and advance the Government’s diplomatic agenda, including the Prime Minister’s participation in regional meetings. 

As part of these visits, the Minister is attending the 82nd Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), which will be held from April 20^th to 24^th in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting brings together ministers and representatives from across the region to discuss challenges and opportunities in sustainable development, including employment, population ageing, social inclusion, and economic transformation.

The Minister will then attend the 25th ASEAN–European Union Ministerial Meeting on April 27^th and 28^th in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, which forms part of the institutional dialogue between the two blocs under the strategic partnership established in 2020. The meeting offers an opportunity to assess the state of cooperation and define joint priorities in areas such as the economy, security, and global challenges.

From May 3^rd to 5^th, Minister Bendito Freitas will accompany Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão on an official visit to Brunei Darussalam. Subsequently, from May 7^th to 9^th, he will also accompany the Head of Government to the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, where the region’s Heads of State and Government will discuss strategic guidelines and policy decisions for Southeast Asia.

During a stopover in Singapore on his way to Thailand, the Minister met the new Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to Timor-Leste, Teo Lay Cheng, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation in preparation for future ASEAN chairmanships.

On April 16^th and 17^th, 2026, the Ministry of Transport and Communications held a public consultation workshop in Dili on the Timor-Leste Digital Transformation Strategy 2026–2036, with participation from public entities, the private sector, civil society, and the academic community, to gather input to consolidate the national strategic document. 

The initiative was organised in collaboration with the TIC TIMOR Agency, I.P., the National Communications Authority, and the National Directorate of Infrastructure and Communications, and included technical presentations and group work sessions on the strategy’s key areas of focus.

During the workshop, TIC TIMOR representatives presented a draft strategy outlining a vision for a digitally inclusive country in which technologies serve citizens, institutions, and sustainable economic development. The document sets out a mission to accelerate the national digital transformation, strengthen governance, diversify the economy, develop human capital, and ensure a secure and inclusive digital environment.

The strategic proposal identifies as priority objectives the development of resilient and accessible digital infrastructure throughout the country, the modernisation of public administration through interoperable and citizen-centred digital services, the strengthening of the digital economy and innovation, and the promotion of digital skills and literacy across society.

The main thematic pillars were also presented, including digital governance, the digital economy, digital education and skills, digital health, rural connectivity, cybersecurity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, as well as the regulatory framework for emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence.

At the opening session, the Minister of Transport and Communications emphasised the importance of broad participation in this process, noting that the strategy builds on existing national policies and strengthens alignment with national strategic instruments, including the 2011–2030 Strategic Development Plan and the Program of the 9th Constitutional Government.

The workshop also included group discussion sessions, during which participants analysed the various pillars of the strategy and presented recommendations for its implementation.

This initiative is part of the process of developing Timor-Leste’s Digital Transformation Strategy 2026–2036, the final version of which will be based on the input gathered during the public consultation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEC), in partnership with the World Bank Group, co-hosted the launch of the Timor-Leste Economic Report 2026, the World Bank’s flagship biannual publication on the country’s economic development, on 16 April 2026 at the Salão Nobre, MNEC.

The World Bank’s flagship biannual report, titled “Leveling Up: How ASEAN Membership Can Support Timor-Leste’s Economic Transformation,” highlights opportunities from Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN, particularly in expanding market access, strengthening investor confidence, and deepening regional economic integration.

Mr. David Freedman, World Bank Group Resident Representative, noted improved economic performance since 2023, supported by sustained growth, increased tourism, improved domestic revenue, and continued macroeconomic stability underpinned by the Petroleum Fund. These positive trends reinforce Timor-Leste’s potential as an emerging investment destination in the region.

Excellency Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and Minister for Tourism and the Environment, reaffirmed the Government’s strong commitment to inclusive and resilient growth focused on job creation, poverty reduction and improved social services. He underscored that, in close collaboration with national and international partners, the Government will persist in advancing policies and reforms aimed at fostering long-term prosperity, stability, and inclusive growth for Timor-Leste.

On the same occasion, Excellency Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, emphasized the need for economic diversification and reforms, noting ASEAN accession as a strategic driver of competitiveness, investment, and institutional strengthening.

Discussions underscored that ASEAN membership provides a credible, rules-based framework to advance reforms, improve business climate, and attract investment. Speakers highlighted the importance of improving trade facilitation, streamlining regulatory processes, and strengthening institutions to attract quality investment and promote private sector-led growth.

Timor-Leste’s upcoming ASEAN Chairship in 2029 was highlighted as a key opportunity to showcase progress and strengthen its regional and global economic standing.

The report is available at:
https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099041526060539214/pdf/P513278-ea02d5d8-7374-4e21-ad36-681387f3df99.pdf