Last week, the Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, paid a working visit to Indonesia, travelling to Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bekasi, accompanied by Ana Paula da Cruz, President of the Institute for Equipment Management and Infrastructure Development Support (IGEADI, IP); Sonio Anuno Sarmento da Silva, Executive Director; and Izabel Maria Lay Guterres, Head of Procurement at the Ministry of Public Works, to strengthen national capacity in the management, operation, and maintenance of heavy equipment. 

The purpose of this working visit was to support the sustainability of public investments in equipment used for the construction and maintenance of infrastructure, as well as for emergency response, including natural disasters.

During the visit, the delegation met representatives from various companies in the sector and toured technical facilities in Surabaya, Jakarta, and Bekasi. They observed the maintenance systems, after-sales services, and operational standards.

During the meetings, the Minister submitted formal requests for these companies to open offices in Timor-Leste to ensure technical assistance within the country, reduce response times for equipment maintenance, and improve the availability of spare parts.

The possibility of developing technical training programmes for Timorese professionals at IGEADI, IP, to enhance their skills in operating and repairing heavy equipment was also discussed.

The visit also included meetings on the Ministry of Public Works’ plan to acquire new equipment, with a focus on strengthening capacity to maintain the national highway network and respond to emergencies.

This initiative forms part of the Government’s efforts to improve the operational efficiency of the infrastructure sector and to ensure the sustainable use of Government-purchased equipment.