Government Submits General State Budget Proposal for 2026 to National Parliament
Yesterday, 1 October 2025, the Government formally submitted to the National Parliament the General State Budget for 2026 (OGE 2026), which was approved at an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers held on 30 September.
The proposal was delivered directly by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão to the President of the National Parliament, Maria Fernanda Lay, accompanied by Finance Minister Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, Deputy Minister of Finance Felícia Claudinanda Cruz Carvalho, Deputy Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Adérito Hugo da Costa, and officials from the Ministry of Finance. 
The 2026 State Budget has the motto ‘Investing in National Transformation, Regional Integration and Inclusive Development” reflecting the vision of the 9th Constitutional Government to strengthen the national economy and improve the provision of public services to citizens.
The budget ceiling for 2026, amounting to US$2.291 billion, was set in line with the macroeconomic outlook and growth projections, which point to an expansion of gross domestic product of 4.3% in 2024 and 4.5% in 2025 and 2026, driven by household consumption and improved execution of public investment.
The General State Budget for 2026 continues the implementation of the 2011-2030 Strategic Development Plan and the Program of the IX Constitutional Government, giving priority to social capital, with investments in health, education and social protection systems to strengthen human development; infrastructure, including roads, electrification, telecommunications and drinking water supply; economic diversification, through support for agriculture, fisheries, tourism and the revitalization of the private sector; and institutional strengthening, with a focus on public service reform, public finance management, decentralization and improved governance.
