DILI, 06 may 2022 (TATOLI) – President-elect of Timor-Leste, José Ramos Horta, and Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak discussed the socio-economic and political situation in the country.
“In today’s meeting, Prime Minister Ruak and I talked about the current situation of the socio-economic and political situation in the country. Thus, I think, having cooperation between the public and private institutions and development partners is important to prepare for any upcoming world socio-economic and political crisis that might hit Timor-Leste,” Horta said after he meets with Prime Minister Ruak, at the Palace of the Government, in Dili, yesterday.
He said working together was important to protect the poor from becoming poorer: “Due to the rising prices of the necessities in the country, thus, we need to discuss together how to protect pregnant mothers, children, and the most vulnerable ones.”
The current socio-economic crisis seems to affect the world and Timor-Leste. It’s going to be a difficult situation for Timor-Leste and therefore, the cooperation among the National Leaders, Parliament, Government, and the President of the Republic was vital to protect the Timorese people from any worst situation in the future.
“We might not be able to control the socio-economic crisis from affecting Timor-Leste as it has already started affecting some countries in the world due to the Ukraine-Russia war and the major backlog of cargo and container ships in front of Shanghai’s port, following China’s tough new lockdown. We have already experienced some of the effects, such as the rising prices of gasoline and diesel as well as the basic needs like food and so on,” he stressed.
Previously, Horta stressed that Timor-Leste needed to prepare its Policy Responses to the Socio-Economic Crisis.
“Government will need to create a mechanism to ensure sufficient national food availability to prevent hunger in the country,” he said.”
“All national leaders need to work together to prepare such Policy Response to the Socio-Economic Crisis to save the poor from getting poorer,” he added.
Horta, again reiterated that after the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony, he would collaborate with the government to accelerate national development and economic growth over the next five years.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
