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Dili, April 25th, 2017
Press Release
Council of Ministers meeting of April 25th, 2017
The Council of Ministers met this Tuesday, at the Government Palace in Dili, and approved updating of the electoral census abroad for the next parliamentary elections. Prior to registration, the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration will promote a campaign of public information, which includes the distribution of information on the electoral census abroad to the Timorese residing in Australia, Portugal South Korea, and the United Kingdom. The Government Resolution was proposed by the Minister of State Administration and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
The signing of the agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand for exemption of visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports, presented by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, was approved.
The Government Decree that creates the acts and administrative procedures relating to access to official documents was also approved. It defines the rules to be adopted by the bodies and services of the State Administration, Municipalities and public companies, as a way of guaranteeing the rights of access of interested parties, to official documents, integrated in an open Government model. This text proposed by the Prime Minister’s office sets up the Access Regime to Official Documents.
The Asycuda World computer system was adopted by Government as the platform for creation of Timor-Leste’s Electronic Single Window. This Automated System for Customs Data (Asycuda World), proposed by the Ministry of Finance and presented in conjunction with the Fiscal Reform Commission, is a computer application that manages, in a fully integrated way, all customs’ data. It is used in 90 countries and includes all international standards related to international trade data included in the conventions and recommendations of organizations such as the World Customs Organization and the World Trade Organization. With simple, modern and transparent procedures, it allows the Government to better control borders. By enabling the connection between the Public Administration services, the National Electronic Single Window will support the private sector and facilitate growth.
The Council of Ministers approved the contract award for the supply of light fuel for EDTL’s two power stations (Hera and Betano), for 2017 and 2018, presented by the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications, together with the National Procurement Commission. This Commission, under the Ministry of Planning and Strategic Investment, led the international tender, which resulted in the recommendations now approved by the Government.
The four members who will join the Board of the National University of Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL), were appointed until 2021. Of the 15 members that make up the advisory body to the public university, it is up to the Council of Ministers to appoint four, comprised of one member from the Government and three representatives from civil society. A proposal discussed at its meeting of April 11th, led the Council of Ministers to appoint Maria do Céu Sarmento da Costa, Minister of Health; Madre Guilhermina Marçal, representative of the religious community; Hernâni Soares, representative of the private sector; and Aniceto Barreto, representative of the professional associations and bodies, who was nominated as President of the General Council.
An investor license was awarded to Li Tjien Development for the construction of the Timor Fortuna Central Plaza. The project was presented by the Minister of State, Coordinator for Economic Affairs and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, along with the company, which already has several projects in the country. The Timor Fortuna Central Plaza will have two towers with residential apartments, shops, offices, entertainment places and parking, and will be located in Avenida Nicolau Lobato. The investment of circa USD 70 million is expected to be completed by 2020. During construction, the project will create more than 1,200 jobs; subsequently, it will require almost 4,000 fixed working positions.
The Office of the Prime Minister presented the draft regime applicable to Social Audit. The proposal will be submitted to the Council of Ministers at a future meeting, after inclusion of the recommendations now made by ministers. ENDS