Government of Timor-Leste

The Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers and

Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste

Díli, August 8, 2010

Timor-Leste Government reaches three years milestone

August 8, 2010 marks three years for the Xanana Gusmão Government, also known as the AMP (Alliance with a Parliamentary Majority), the first multi party coalition to govern Timor-Leste. In a ceremony of reflection the Prime Minister, His Excellency Xanana Gusmão, expressed his deep appreciation to the President of the Republic, His Excellency José Ramos-Horta, the Institutions of the State, the political parties, the church, civil society and above all the people of Timor-Leste for their resounding role in fostering national stability.

Taking a break from four months of public consultations on the National Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030, which has seen him visit communities throughout the districts of Timor-Leste, the Prime Minister outlined how newfound confidence and political maturity within the country had paved the way for the Government to implement a reformist policy agenda “that would guarantee to the Country, and above all to future generations, a promising program of social and economic development.”

Three years on and the critical reforms set out to define the course of development have been prioritized and aggressively pursued in both policy and legislation; reforms to the Defence and Security Sector to ensure national stability, reforms of State Management to improve governance, reforms to the Social Justice System to implement a fair and just social welfare system to the meet the needs of the most vulnerable, reforms of Basic Infrastructure enabling, among other things, the reconstruction of the nation and the start of economic growth and  reforms of the Private Sector promoting strategic partnerships between it and the Government, to promote sustainable development in the cities and rural areas alike. All necessary foundations for Timor-Leste to fast track development, mobilize the economy and lift its citizens from generations of poverty.

The reforms are delivering results. Three years of average double digit economic growth has rendered a steady increase in non oil per capita incomes, from $398 in 2007 to $499 in 2008 to $599 in 2010. Capital development has surged to 1023% from 2006/2007 levels and Timor-Leste was cited as one of the top ten fastest growing economies in the world in 2008 and 2009.

By nearly tripling State budgets with anti poverty programs at the forefront and increased expenditure across key areas, social indicators are showing improvements. Some of the most critical areas in health have reached the Millennium Development Goals for Timor-Leste including under-five mortality rates, infant mortality rates and antenatal care coverage.  The enrolment ratio in primary education is up from 76.6% (2007) to 83.2% (2009) and well on track for an MDG goal in 2015 of 86% and adult literacy has risen from 50.6% in 2007 to 58% in 2009. Infrastructure works were boosted with the Referendum Package, an innovative measure which enabled the development of the nascent private sector, particularly in rural areas to rebuild communities with schools, bridges, water supplies and local works. Companies registrations steadily increased from 171 (2007) to 1,799 (2009) and Micro business registration increased from 1,212(2007) to 5,232 (2009).

The Xanana Gusmao Government navigated the country through both the Global Financial Crisis and the Global Food Crisis, buffering internal shocks by securing and subsidizing domestic supplies, investing into the shift from subsistence farming to agribusiness, and connecting communities, products and opportunities for wage generation. The total output of rice production, a key staple, between 2007 and 2009 increased by 73.8% and now with the plans for the electrification of the country in progress, the sprawling power station which can be seen in construction and the towers being erected in the surrounding mountains, has come to be seen a symbol of hope for the Timorese, hope that the basics from which the modern world operates will kick start households and communities in the nation which has struggled after four hundred years of occupation, 24 years of war and mired beginnings as a new found democracy.

The Prime Minister closed with a personal glimpse into the future in which he believes Timor-Leste can be lifted from a low to middle income country by 2025 with continued reforms and investment, “ I believe Timor-Leste is a Country dedicated to the hydrocarbon industry, supported by other small industries. A Country with an urban expansion that is well distributed throughout the territory, and with rural urbanization enabling the populations to live in communities, where the delivery of basic services reaches every citizen.’

‘The Strategic Development Plan will be essential for improving production, production capabilities and productive employment opportunities, by way of the modernization of agriculture, the increment of industry, the provision of social services and the development of human capital’.

‘It is up to all of you and to the People of Timor-Leste to reflect whether the programs that have been implemented are adequate to respond to the needs of the Nation. It is up to us as Government to correct that which could be better and to continue selflessly to serve the People with boldness and ambition.’

‘When we are talking about serving our beloved Timorese People, of sowing hope for a better future for our children, we can only be ambitious, we can only dream big.”