Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 4th 2025
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 4th 2025
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Decree-Law for the Creation of a public subsidy for the implementation of the College of Education - Raiz (ESE-RAIZ) project, presented by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, José Honório da Costa Pereira Jerónimo.
The proposal aims to support the creation of a new university school dedicated exclusively to the initial training of primary and secondary school teachers, promoting excellence in education and a strong appreciation of the Portuguese language. ESE-RAIZ will initially be implemented within the Timorese Catholic University (UCT), as a new organizational unit with academic, administrative and financial autonomy.
The public subsidy, with a maximum annual value of one million US dollars, will be awarded to the St Paul's Foundation of the Archdiocese of Dili, the founding body of the UCT. This measure will make it possible to finance the creation and operation of the new teaching unit, ensuring its academic, administrative and financial autonomy, as well as accountability and supervision of the project's implementation.
After the presentation by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, José Honório da Costa Pereira Jerónimo, the Council of Ministers decided to take over the management of the East Timor Coffee Institute (ETCI), located in Gleno, Ermera, and to subsequently approve a specific project for this institute with a view to strengthening the training of human resources in the agricultural sector, particularly in the coffee sector, one of Timor-Leste's main export products.
The Draft Bill on the General Regime of the Financial System and Banking Activity, presented by the Vice Prime Minister and Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Timor-Leste (BCTL), Helder Lopes, was also approved.
The proposal aims to modernize and strengthen the legal framework that regulates the national financial system, with special emphasis on banking, replacing the regime currently in force. The aim is to align the national legislation with the latest international standards and recommendations, to ensure greater stability, resilience and transparency in the sector.
The main objectives include updating the rules for licensing and supervising financial institutions, strengthening risk prevention mechanisms, protecting bank customers and strengthening the role of the Central Bank as a regulatory and supervisory body.
The law introduces significant innovations, including the creation of the Resolution Fund and the Deposits Guarantee Fund. The former is intended to provide financial support for resolution measures in institutions in difficulty, while the latter guarantees the repayment of bank deposits to promote confidence in the financial system. New rules on conduct and transparency in relations between banks and their clients are also provided for, as well as sanctions for irregular practices.
The new regime covers banks, microfinance institutions, insurance companies, finance companies, co-operatives, FinTech’s and other entities in the sector. Its implementation is expected to contribute to a safer, more accessible and efficient financial environment that supports the country's economic growth and development.
The Council of Ministers has approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Defense, Donaciano do Rosário Gomes, on the conditions for awarding allowances and remuneration supplements to the FALINTIL-Timor-Leste Defense Forces (F-FDTL).
This law aims to regulate in a clear and up-to-date way the supplements granted to F-FDTL military personnel, approved by Decree-Law no. 34/2021, of 22 December, amended by Decree-Law no. 85/2022, of November 23rd , recognizing the specific demands of the military career and the need to dignify the service provided to the nation. The measure also aims to correct gaps and discrepancies that existed in the previous regime, considering the evolution of the cost of living and recent reforms in public administration.
The proposal applies to all active or reserve military personnel on duty and establishes the amount and conditions for awarding various supplements, such as the military condition supplement, special activities supplement, supplement for attending courses abroad, command and leadership supplement, transport allowance, allowance for travelling on duty and food allowance.
By defining uniform and transparent criteria for awarding this support, the law ensures more efficient management of public resources and promotes justice and equity within the Armed Forces. Authorization to award each supplement will depend on a proposal from the military units and an order from the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and will only be guaranteed for as long as the conditions justifying it are maintained.
Also, at the proposal of the Minister of Defense, Donaciano do Rosário Gomes, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution approving the F-FDTL Military Code of Honor.
The adoption of this Code aims to affirm the ethical principles, moral values and exemplary conduct that should guide all F-FDTL military personnel, helping to strengthen the organizational culture and institutional identity of the Armed Forces. The Code is a fundamental instrument for consolidating a democratic military culture based on legality, discipline, professionalism and service to the Nation.
The Code of Honor applies to all F-FDTL military personnel and reinforces the Armed Forces' commitment to the Constitution, legality, respect for citizens' rights and strict non-partisanship. Among its main objectives are the prevention of inappropriate behavior, the promotion of a public image of integrity and the enhancement of the F-FDTL's mission in the service of the Timorese people.
Following a presentation by the President of the Football Federation of Timor-Leste (FFTL), Nilton Gusmão, the Council of Ministers decided to authorize the signing of two memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the FFTL, as part of a strategic partnership to strengthen the national football infrastructure. The first memorandum provides for the concession of the Dili Municipal Stadium to the federation for a period of 25 years, with the aim of rehabilitating and improving the existing infrastructure, using funding from a FIFA fund. The second memorandum establishes a partnership for the design, construction, development, management and maintenance of a new football stadium to be built in the city of Dili.
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Finally, the Council of Ministers decided to approve the launch of a pilot project, proposed by the Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, for the construction of an underground electricity network in the section between Habibie and Becora Bridge, in Dili. This initiative aims to modernize the existing electrical infrastructure, improve the reliability of the energy supply and reduce the risks associated with aerial networks, particularly in the event of bad weather or accidents. END
