The former Deputy Prime Minister, José Luís Guterres, was sworn in asPresident of the Special Administrative Region of Oé-Cusse Ambeno (RAEOA), by the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, at a ceremony held on November 13, 2019, at the Government Palace in Dili.
The RAEOA was established in 2014 with the aim of promoting the region’s inclusive development, giving priority to socio-economic activities promoting the quality of life and well-being of the community.
The Government’s resolution on the appointment of José Luís Guterres was adopted by the Council of Ministers at its meeting on 6 November, “recognizing the merit and suitability publicly recognized by Timorese society and the experience in the performance of public positions of an executive nature.”
Former Deputy Prime Minister replaces Arsenio Bano who took office after the end of the term of office of the former RAEOA President Mari Alkatiri, in July this year.
In his speech after the signing of the term of office, José Luís Guterres, said that it is “important for the nation and for the people of Oé-Cusse to continue with the development already initiated and most importantly to grow the income of rural families throughout the territory of Oé-Cusse, solving the basic issues of the life of our population such as water, sanitation, housing, health, school network”.
The new President of the RAEOA also stressed that he will place “emphasis on agricultural production and fisheries, the development of industry and the creation of conditions for tourism so that the people can obtain immediate benefits”. He added that he will work “with the Central Government to attract national and international investors to Oé-Cusse in order to create jobs and income for the population.”
The Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, thanked, “on his behalf and on behalf of the VIII Government, the availability of the new President to take over this mission and thanked the interim President, Arsenio Bano, for his leadership during the transition period”. He also said that he expects the “new President of the RAEOA to continue the work done previously, to improve what has been done and to change what is not well” in order to “respond to the aspirations and needs of the population of Oé-Cusse”, fulfilling “the dream that everyone in Oé-Cusse can benefit from development.”
Taur Matan Ruak also said that the “Central Government is ready to support the new President before and after this phase of transition” so that activity in Oé-Cusse does not stop, while not forgetting also Ataúro” which is also part of the Special Zones of Social Market Economy of Timor-Leste (ZEESM).