Government of Timor-Leste

The Presidente of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Masato Kanda, concluded his first official visit to Timor-Leste, which took place between Jully 17^th and 20^th, having reaffirmed ADB’s commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s national development priorities and regional integration, namely its accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), scheduled for October this year. 

On arrival in the country, Masato Kanda visited the expansion project for the President Nicolau Lobato International Airport, currently the largest infrastructure investment supported by ADB in Timor-Leste. Accompanied by the Minister of Transport and Communications, Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, and representatives of the Development partners from Japan and Australia, he toured the terminal’s current facilities and highlighted the importance of the project for regional integration and the country’s economic diversification.  “This investment of 297.9 million dollars is transforming Timor-Leste’s main gateway to the world. I have witnessed the urgency of modernization and the enormous potential that this project holds,” he said. 

Minister Miguel Manetelu considered that the expansion of the airport “represents an important gateway for trade, tourism and foreign investment, boosting economic diversification in the long term. The ADB leader praised the spirit of cooperation underpinning the development of the project, considering it “an effective international partnership model for tackling critical development challenges. The modernization of the airport includes extending the runway, building new taxiways and upgrading the air traffic control system to international standards, strengthening the country’s potential for trade tourism and investment. 

During the visit, Masato Kanda met with the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta and several members of the Government, where they discussed Timor-Leste’s strategic priorities and ways to strengthen the partnership with ADB. On Jully 18^th, he attended a working lunch in Dili with the Vice Prime Minister, Mariano Assanami Sabino, the Minister for the Presidency of Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, the Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, and the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel and the Governor of the Central Bank, Helder Lopes. 

On Jully 19^th, Masato Kanda visited the municipality of Aileu, where he learned about the Agroforestry and Coffee Livelihood Improvement Project (CALIP), implemented in six municipalities with the support of ADB. .During the visit, he talked to farmers and toured agricultural demonstration areas, where he observed modern techniques for intercropping coffee with food crops. “My visit to the coffee-growing regions showed how the CALIP project is transforming lives strengthening communities by revitalizing the country’s most importance non-oil export sector,” he said.  CALIP currently supports 80 farmer groups and benefits around 2,000 coffee-growing families, contributing to the national goal of doubling production and increasing the value of exports by 20% by 2030. 

At an official dinner hosted by the Government, the Minister of Finance, Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, stressed that “since 2002, ADB has accompanied Timor-Leste on its journey of consolidation as a sovereign nation, investing in crucial areas such as transportation, water, energy, education and the coffee sector.” He also stressed that the partnership with ADB has been essential for implementing structural reforms and strengthening public financial management. 

Masato Kanda, in his speech, reaffirmed that “this visit was an opportunity to deepen our collaboration, at a crucial time when the country is preparing to take a historic step with ASEAN membership. Our support will continue every step of the way, with the aim of building a more inclusive and resilient future for all Timorese.” END