DILI, 24 january 2022 (TATOLI) – Four companies submit to the Investment and Export Promotion Agency, I.P of Timor-Leste (TradeInvest), the investment proposals for the fiber optic project.
The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Joaquim Amaral, mentioned that the four companies include SACOM TL, Metrolindo, Moratelindo, and Telkomcel.
Amaral made the comments after having a meeting with the Minister of Transport and Communications (MTC), José Agustinho da Silva, the Executive Director of TradeInvest, Arcanjo da Silva and the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak on the progress of the fiber optic project.
“The four investors have submitted their proposals. The technical team is currently evaluating the proposals. This project is a strategic investment for the country”, said Amaral, at the Government Palace, in Dili, on monday.
He said the team is also responsible for carrying out the administrative and technical analysis, adding the team had been performing the work at a good pace.
“This investment requires an in-depth administrative document analysis to meet all the legal procedures,” he said.
Amaral stressed that the team maintains its effort to finalize the legal documents in order to quickly move forward with the implementation of the project: “The cost of the internet is expensive and at the same time very slow here in Timor-Leste.”
“To attract international investors, it is necessary to ensure infrastructures with better conditions. Thus, communication, particularly the internet, is vital in today’s digitalization system. Therefore, Timor-Leste shouldn’t be left behind when it comes to telecommunications”, he said.
The public procurement tender for the purchase and installation of the equipment of submarine optical fiber cable from Darwin was started on july 2021.
On november 4, 2020, a decree-law on the submarine optical fiber cable project was approved through the deliberation of the Council of Ministers.
The Government of Timor-Leste had forecasted US$41.588 million of the 2021 General State Budget to fund the infrastructure development of the submarine optical fiber cable.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
