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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of June 12, 2019
The Council of Ministers met in the Government Palace in Dili and approved the proposal for a Decree-Law presented by the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, regarding the first amendment to Decree-Law no. 20/2010 of 1 December, on the Remuneration Supplements of the Public Administration. This amendment sets out the payment of allowances for public administration staff, who carry out missions in the national territory, that last longer than fifteen days and that are duly substantiated cases and authorized by the Head of the Civil House, the President of the National Parliament, the Prime Minister, the President of the Court of Appeal or the chief executive officer in respect of officials, agents and employees of the respective governing body.
The President of TIMOR GAP, EP, Francisco Monteiro, presented to the Council of Ministers the annual report on the activities of the public company for the year 2018. Francisco Monteiro presented the programs and activities, financial results and objectives for the future, according to the Strategic Business Plan 2016-2035 of the national oil company. TIMOR GAP was established in 2011 and is responsible for the exploration, production, storage, processing, distribution and sale of petroleum products. An update on the Tasi Mane oil exploration project on the south coast of Timor-Leste was also presented. The project estimates that up to 10,000 direct jobs and up to 50,000 indirect jobs will be created. The Tasi Mane project provides for the creation of three industrial poles on the south coast of the country, from Suai to Beaço, covering the Suai Supply Platform grouping, the Betano Refinery and Petrochemical Industry grouping and the Natural Gas Installation (LNG) de Beaço, which will form the backbone of Timor-Leste’s oil industry. The President of TIMOR GAP also presented the action plan for the development of the Greater Sunrise fields, in which, on April 16, 2019, the national oil company concluded the purchase of shares of ConocoPhillips and Shell Australia. The public company is currently in contact with partners of the Greater Sunrise consortium to discuss the concept of development and negotiation of the new Greater Sunrise Production Sharing Agreement.
The Council of Ministers approved the creation of an interministerial commission for tourism development. The tourism sector is recognized by the Government as an important pillar of Timor-Leste’s economic, social and environmental development, essential for sustainable growth and the creation of this commission intends to strengthen inter-sectorial and inter-ministerial coordination and collaboration mechanisms. to enhance the competitiveness of the country as a tourist destination par excellence. The Commission will be chaired by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and composed of Ministers responsible for tourism, land use, transport and communications, interior, culture, environment, cooperatives and vocational training and employment. The commission will be responsible for promoting the preparation of the Tourism Master Plan, analyzing the necessary legislative initiatives and promoting interdepartmental coordination in the implementation and execution of the Tourism Master Plan.
The Council of Ministers approved the Executive Order of the Prime Minister appointing Francisco Kalbualdi Lay as National Authority for Expo 2020 Dubai, which will be responsible for setting up and appointing an organizing commission for the representation of Timor-Leste at Expo 2020, a world exhibition that will hold in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, between October 20, 2020 and April 10, 2021.
The Council of Ministers approved the 2019 Voluntary National Review (VNR) Final Report on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goas (SDG). The report presents progress on the implementation of the SDGs, with indications on the implementation of the Agenda 2030 in our country. The report will be Timor-Leste’s contribution to the High-Level Political Forum, which meets next July at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and will announce the results of the National Voluntary Review process. Last May, the Government sent eleven key messages, endorsed by the Council of Ministers, which underline the achievements of Timor-Leste as the youngest state in Asia. These achievements are the result of national commitment to the processes of reconciliation, inclusion and democracy. The VNR was developed as part of a consultation process, led by the SDG Working Group, made up of representatives from the public sector, civil society, universities, the private sector, religious organizations and the National Parliament.
The Council of Ministers approved an agreement between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Kingdom of Cambodia on the visa waiver for holders of diplomatic and service passports, signed by the respective Foreign Ministers on 19 August 2016, with the objective of strengthening relations of friendship and cooperation between Timor-Leste and Cambodia.
Lastly, the Acting Minister of Finance, Sara Lobo Brites, presented the proposal for a Resolution, approved by the Council of Ministers, on the assignment of full powers to the interim Finance Minister for the signing of the technical assistance cooperation agreement between the European Investment Bank and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. ENDS