The National Parliament approved today, December 22, the General State Budget (OGE) for 2019, with 40 votes in favor, 25 against and no abstentions.

During the thirteen days of discussion in generality and specialty, the different proposals of the Government and 134 amendments proposed by the different parties with parliamentary seats were analyzed.

Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak, speaking at the end of the debate, said that the OGE for 2019, worth US $ 2132 million, is “a turning-point budget because it centers on a more active role for the State and of the country in the development of our natural resources”, which will allow the “return to full normality, with the continuity of investments in infrastructure and basic services of education, health, housing, connectivity, access to electricity, water or sanitation, investments essential to recover growth levels achieved up to 2016″ and “boost private investment by implementing large projects through public-private partnerships”.

Taur Matan Ruak thanked the MPs, “for the spirit of selflessness and sacrifice, in accepting the challenge of dispensing with part of the normal period of pause for the parliamentary recess of Christmas, in order to respond to the promise made to the People and the Country, to approve in time the 2019 General State Budget that we ambition may support the healthy functioning of the State and be a good drive of our economy next year”.

To read the speech of the Prime Minister in the OGE presentation, click here.

To read the speech of the Prime Minister at the closing of the OGE presentation, click here.

The National Parliament approved today, December 22, the General State Budget (OGE) for 2019, with 40 votes in favor, 25 against and no abstentions.

During the thirteen days of discussion in generality and specialty, the different proposals of the Government and 134 amendments proposed by the different parties with parliamentary seats were analyzed.

Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak, speaking at the end of the debate, said that the OGE for 2019, worth US $ 2132 million, is “a turning-point budget because it centers on a more active role for the State and of the country in the development of our natural resources”, which will allow the “return to full normality, with the continuity of investments in infrastructure and basic services of education, health, housing, connectivity, access to electricity, water or sanitation, investments essential to recover growth levels achieved up to 2016″ and “boost private investment by implementing large projects through public-private partnerships”.

Taur Matan Ruak thanked the MPs, “for the spirit of selflessness and sacrifice, in accepting the challenge of dispensing with part of the normal period of pause for the parliamentary recess of Christmas, in order to respond to the promise made to the People and the Country, to approve in time the 2019 General State Budget that we ambition may support the healthy functioning of the State and be a good drive of our economy next year”.

To read the speech of the Prime Minister in the OGE presentation (Portuguese and Tetun), click here.

To read the speech of the Prime Minister at the closing of the OGE presentation (Portuguese and Tetun), click here.