Meeting of the Council of Ministers on September 2nd, 2026
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on September 2nd, 2026
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and opened the meeting with a presentation by the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Gastão Francisco de Sousa, and the National Development Agency (ADN). The Council was briefed on the results of an analysis of the costs of renting heavy equipment and fuel, and on their impact on infrastructure projects.
The analysis compares the reference costs currently in use with figures derived from the most recent data. It assesses how rising heavy equipment rental and fuel prices affect the execution of construction projects, particularly in the highway sector. The results suggest a possible need to update the respective reference prices to reflect the increase in construction costs.
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The Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Gastão Francisco de Sousa, also gave a presentation on the 2027–2030 Medium-Term Plan, which will set out the main priorities and development goals for the next four years of government and will correspond to the final phase of implementation of the 2011–2030 Strategic Development Plan.
The Plan aims to accelerate national economic and social development, with a particular focus on diversifying the economy, creating jobs, improving infrastructure and public services, developing human capital, and strengthening institutions, to reduce dependence on oil revenues and create the conditions for more sustainable economic growth.
The proposal outlines ten national strategic priorities, including reform of land ownership and registration, access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, the development of the blue economy and tourism, improved logistics and connections between production areas and markets, increased agricultural productivity and irrigated areas, strengthened vocational training, improved electricity and water supply to economic zones, and better conditions for private investment.
The Plan also sets specific targets and indicators to track results by 2030, with regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to enable the government to track the implementation of the defined priorities and adjust its actions as needed.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by Vice-Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and Minister of Tourism and the Environment Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, regarding the special public procurement regime applicable to Timor-Leste’s preparation for and exercise of the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029.
The draft decree-law establishes an exceptional, temporary framework to expedite contracting for construction or infrastructure rehabilitation projects in the municipality of Dili that are necessary for the preparation of the ASEAN Chairmanship, as well as the goods and services directly associated with the preparation, execution, supervision, and completion of these projects. The framework specifically covers the construction of the Convention Centre, which must be fully operational in time for the ASEAN Chairmanship preparation schedule.
The draft decree-law also grants the Vice-Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and Minister of Tourism — regardless of the value of the contracts — the authority to carry out the administrative and financial acts necessary for contracting, including authorising expenditure, initiating procedures, approving the award of contracts, and entering into contracts on behalf of the State. The contracting authority’s procurement services handle the procedures, and the National Procurement Commission and the National Development Agency may provide technical support when requested. The Chamber of Accounts' prior oversight remains in effect for contracts valued at more than US$5 million.
This framework will remain in effect until December 31st, 2029, and aims to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place by the established deadlines, enabling Timor-Leste to host the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029.
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Following recent acts of vandalism against public electricity infrastructure, the Council of Ministers decided to instruct the Minister of the Interior to coordinate the necessary efforts to strengthen policing around this infrastructure and to work with the Ministry of Public Works to adopt measures to enhance the protection of the relevant equipment, with a view to preventing further incidents and safeguarding the operation and safety of public electricity infrastructure.
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The Council of Ministers approved two draft resolutions of the National Parliament, submitted by the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Jesuína Maria Ferreira Gomes, on the approval of visa waiver agreements with Vietnam and Vanuatu.
The first agreement, signed in Hanoi on June 9th, 2026, establishes a visa waiver for holders of ordinary passports from Timor-Leste and Vietnam, with the aim of facilitating the entry, transit, and stay of citizens of both countries for tourism and contributing to the strengthening of bilateral relations.
The second agreement, signed in Port Vila on July 22nd, 2026, establishes a mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, official, or service passports from Timor-Leste and Vanuatu, to facilitate travel on official business between the two countries and to strengthen bilateral cooperation. END
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