On August 21st, 2023, the Minister for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, welcomed the head of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Timor-Leste, David Freedman, and his team, at the Government Palace in Dili, to discuss the promotion of a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy for the country. 
During the meeting, the IFC team summarised the main projects underway in Timor-Leste, and Minister Agio Pereira presented the main priorities of the 9th Constitutional Government.
David Freedman expressed the IFC’s commitment to working closely with the Government to boost the national economy, aligning the IFC’s initiatives with the strategic priorities outlined in the 9th Constitutional Government Programme.
Among the priority areas addressed at the meeting were the promotion of job creation through the development of critical sectors such as tourism, agribusiness and industry, as well as the rise of investment and housing.
The green economy was also highlighted at the meeting, specifically focusing on renewable energies, carbon capture and energy efficiency. IFC expressed its commitment to contributing to the sustainable development of Timor-Leste, helping to drive the transition to a greener and more sustainable economy.
Access to finance was also discussed, with particular emphasis on housing, financing movable assets and skills development and institutional transformation. In this context, the government intends to create the Timor-Leste Development Bank, an organisation designed to facilitate access to finance at affordable interest rates.