IV CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT
SECRETARIAT OF STATE OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

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PRESS RELEASE

Council of Ministers Meeting from February 29, 2012

The Council of Ministers met this Wednesday, February 29, 2012, in the Council of Ministers Meeting Room, at the Government Palace, in Díli and approved:

1. Decree-Law that approves the Training and Development of the Public Service

The IV Constitutional Government is committed to a policy that guarantees to all employees reasonable opportunities of access to training and development, focused on activities related to work, improving the performance and effectiveness of service delivery and promoting continuous professional development.

This diploma regulates the rights and responsibilities of employees in their professional development, the range of training and development activities that are available, as well as the institutions responsible for planning and provision of such activities that will promote a better orientation and provide a coordinated and consistent approach.

2. Voluntary contribution to the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP)

In order to support the inauguration of the new premises of the Executive Secretary of CPLP, Timor-Leste will make a voluntary contribution to the CPLP of US$ 50,000 (fifty thousand dollars). This contribution enhances the position of Timor-Leste within the CPLP, increasing the diplomatic influence of the country and international coordination, particularly in view of an application of Timor-Leste to the UN Committee on Decolonization.

The Council of Ministers also analyzed:

1. Presentation on Education and Technical and Professional Training Plan 2011-2030

Education and Technical and Professional Training (EFTP) is a method of preparing skilled labor essential to all modern economies and aims to prepare the skilled workers needed for industrial development, increased productivity and wealth creation.

This Plan of Education and Technical and Professional Training 2011-2030 (EFTP) supports the initiatives set out in the Strategic Development Plan for Timor-Leste for 2011-2030 and is consistent with the principles and methods of a sector wide approach.

In all countries, whether or not they are seeking to build an advanced developed economy, the government is primarily responsible for creating a training system to prepare skilled workers essential for a fair and prosperous society.

Timor-Leste is well positioned to implement a national TVET plan that best provides efficiency and training to boost the development of new skills which are essential for the social and economic future of the country.

2. Presentation of the Master Plan of Hydropower

The National Directorate for Alternative Energy Research and Policy, the Secretariat of State for Energy Policy, in cooperation with the Directorate of Water Resources and Energy of the Norwegian Government, presented to the Council of Ministers the Hydropower Master Plan.

This project was initiated in May 2010 and aims to use renewable energy in Timor-Leste, to provide cleaner energy alternatives and employment opportunities for the communities where hydroelectric plants will be built in both the construction and operational stages.

The Plan studied 23 hydroelectric projects (six large, sixteen small and one micro), in all 13 districts where there are continuous water flow waterways.