Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers on December 16th, 2024
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers on December 16th, 2024
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Decree-Law for the First Amendment to Decree-Law No. 1/2015, of January 14th, on the Special Development Fund. The draft Decree-Law was presented by the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, the President of the Oe-Cússe Ambeno Special Administrative Region Authority (RAEOA – acronym in Portuguese), Rogério Tiago de Fátima Lobato, and the Coordinator of the Executive Committee for the establishment of the Special Economic Development Zone in Oe-Cússe Ambeno (ZEEDOA – acronym in Portuguese), João Mendes Gonçalves.
This Decree-Law aims to adapt the RAEOA Special Development Fund to the new provisions of Law 18/2023 of November 30th, which abolished the Oe-Cússe Ambeno and Ataúro Special Social Market Economy Zone and provides for the creation of a new Special Economic Zone. The duties and objectives of the Fund are redefined, and it will also be under the supervision of the Prime Minister.
The Decree-Law provides for implementing a transitional regime for the Special Development Fund, providing it with management tools and operational capacity to initiate priority development projects, prepare an efficient management structure and finance multi-annual strategic projects of a social and economic nature. These measures aim to guarantee a response to the entire development strategy for Oe-Cússe Ambeno in the medium and long term, with tangible benefits for the population of Oe-Cússe in particular and Timor-Leste in general.
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The Council of Ministers approved Timor-Leste's initial proposals, presented by the Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, for accession to the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS), the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement (ATISA) and the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), as part of the process of negotiating Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN.
The proposed modalities outline the guiding principles for the negotiations, considering Timor-Leste's context. Among the objectives is the progressive fulfilment of commitments to liberalise goods and services, in line with ASEAN standards but with due flexibility, to ensure that the obligations assumed are proportionate to Timor-Leste's current level of development and its institutional capacities. This framework aims to balance regional integration and safeguard national strategic and economic interests, promoting sustainable growth and competitiveness in the country's production and services sectors.
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Following the project presented by the Minister for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira and the Secretary of State for Social Communication, Expedito Dias Ximenes, the Council of Ministers decided to name the new Central Building of Radio and Television of Timor-Leste, Public Company (RTTL, EP), after Francisco Borja da Costa, the RTTL, EP Auditorium after Nino Konis Santana, and the RTTL, EP Multifunction Studio after David Alex 'Daitula'.
The current building of the Radio and Television of Timor-Leste has suffered several damages in recent years, mainly caused by flooding. Therefore, the construction of a new building is necessary to significantly improve the quality of the services provided by this public company.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new building is scheduled for December 19th, 2024.
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The Council of Ministers has approved a draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Health, Elia A. A. dos Reis Amaral, concerning the regime for importing, storing, distributing, selling, and exporting pharmaceutical products and medical equipment.
This Decree-Law aims to replace Decree-Law 12/2004 of May 26th, adapting the legal framework to social, economic, and regulatory changes, both domestically and internationally. The new regulations promote separating import, storage, and distribution activities from pharmacy retail sales, ensuring greater specialisation and strengthening public health protection. The activity of selling pharmaceutical products and medical equipment is also separated from the activity of providing medical, nursing, diagnostic or therapeutic healthcare in pharmacies, the latter being prohibited in pharmacies. There is also a ban on the ownership of more than one pharmacy per municipality and price coordination, preventing situations of oligopoly or monopoly that could jeopardise the population's access to pharmaceutical products.
Among the main amendments is the requirement for specific conditions for storing and selling pharmaceutical products, such as strict temperature control, humidity, and light. The law also provides for differentiated spaces, both for storage and retail sales, for the storage and preservation of narcotics and psychotropic substances, and for pharmaceutical products ordered to be withdrawn from the market, expired, falsified, adulterated, or broken.
The Decree-Law also establishes the mandatory existence of a permanent and exclusive technical director, a pharmacist, and the submission of monthly reports to the Ministry of Health, which should include import, storage, and sales activities.
The new regime introduces reinforced inspection measures and penalties, intending to ensure the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products available on the market. It also provides for a 180-day transition period, allowing organisations currently operating to adapt to the new rules. The law comes into force the day after its publication, revoking Decree-Law 12/2004, of May 26th.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Transport and Communications, Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, to establish administrative fees due for acts and services relating to controlling weight limits for goods transport vehicles.
The Decree-Law regulates the administrative acts and services associated with checking the weight of goods transport vehicles subject to the payment of fees, defining the respective values to comply with the Authorised Weight of Goods Transport Vehicles Regime. The fees for ordinary weighing vary according to the number of wheels on the vehicle: US$30 for vehicles with four wheels, US$35 for vehicles with six wheels, US$40 for vehicles with eight wheels and US$45 for vehicles with ten or more wheels. Check weighing, carried out after excess weight has been removed, has a fixed cost of US$5 per excess kilogram.
The law also establishes the maximum authorised weight limits per vehicle category: 5,000 kg for vehicles with two axles and four wheels, 8,500 kg for vehicles with two axles and six wheels, 15,500 kg for vehicles with three axles and six wheels, and 18,000 kg for vehicles with three axles and ten wheels. Vehicles in the service of the State, defence and security forces, diplomatic missions and other public entities are exempt from these regulations. The circulation of vehicles will be prohibited until the outstanding fees and excess weight have been settled, and the penalties laid down in the legislation will apply in the event of non-compliance.
This Decree-Law aims to contribute to the preservation of road infrastructure, improve safety in motor traffic and guarantee compliance with legal regulations by freight transport operators.
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Lastly, the Council of Ministers approved a draft Decree-Law to regulate the right to a medical check-up provided for in the Statute of Holders of Sovereign Bodies. END
