On February 8, the Secretariat of State for Professional Training and Employment (SoSPTE), held a meeting attended by the 13 district administrators and representatives of Public Works from the Ministry of State Administration and Territorial Planning (MoSATP), the Ministry of Finance and the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) in order to establish the coordination mechanisms and processes to promote rural employment.

“The ministerial meeting with the 13 districts administrators  established a line of proper coordination to execute the state budget in regard to the creation of rural jobs. I ask the administrators to pay particular  attention to rural roads that are a priority in your districts.

SoSPTE’s technical team is always available to receive feedback from administrators and local authorities as it is they that are in the best position to know the reality on the ground”, said Secretary of State for Professional Training and Employment Bendito Freitas.

The Secretary of State also added that the budget amount allocated for rural employment is $ 20 million U.S. dollars and must be spent according to needs.

The SoSPTE National Director for Employment, Paulo Alves, said that from 2009 until 2011, the National Directorate for Employment from SoSPTE had received proposals on the rehabilitation of rural roads, from the 13 districts communities.