Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and

Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste

 

 Díli, January 16, 2015

Council of Ministers to meet in Oe-Cusse Ambeno

 

The Council of Ministers of the Government of Timor-Leste will meet in Pante Macassar, the capital of the district of Oe-Cusse Ambeno, next Friday, January 23, to discuss important steps being taken to prioritize development of the district, including the transfer of powers. Participants will also be involved in special events including a Ceremony marking the Transfer of Powers and Devolution of Competencies from the Central Government to the Authority of the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno.

The Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste recognizes the special status of Oe-Cusse, an enclave in the north west of the island of Timor, stating that it “shall enjoy special administrative and economic treatment” and “be governed by a special administrative policy and economic regime.” In June last year Law No 3/2014 was passed creating the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno and establishing the Special Zone of Social Market Economy also known as ZEESM. Oe-Cusse Ambeno has faced significant development challenges compounded because of its isolation from contiguous Timor-Leste. The law notes the objective of the Special Administrative Region is to achieve “inclusive development of the region prioritizing activities of a socio economic nature to promote the quality of life and well-being of the community.”

Former Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Mari Alkatiri, President of the Authority of the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno and Chair of the Special Zone of Social Market Economy of Oe-Cusse Ambeno and Ataúro, notes that the Authority will use an “integrated approach to sustainable, social and economic development” accomplished by “investing in the training, education and health of the people of Oe-Cusse Ambeno while simultaneously investing in vital infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, school and more to help build a dynamic regional economy.”

The 2015 Budget allocates $81.9 Million to the Authority to invest to accelerate inclusive economic development and develop basic infrastructure. The Region will be using its status as a Special Economic Zone to attract quality foreign investment and long-term business initiatives.