DILI, 08 august 2022 (TATOLI) – The Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), Acacio Guterres, informed that the eighth Constitutional Government through MAF has placed a US$ 7,30,000.00 million budget to buy two-fishing boats in 2023.
“The US$ 7,30,000.00 million budget has been prepared by MAF to buy fishing boats and at this moment MAF has contracted a consultant from Indonesia to design the boats, we hope they will complete soon to operate in Timor-Leste’s sea,” Guterres, told TATOLI in his office, Comoro, Dili.
Gutteres said, MAF also plans to recruit more Timorese fishers and prepared them to work in the two fishing vessels that will be completed next year:” MAF will recruit 50 Timorese workers who have experience in fishing areas to work in the new boats,”
The procurement policy was conducted by MAF to facilitate fishers in diversifying the blue economy of Timor – Leste, and the development of the fishing industry by optimizing marine resources as an alternative to substitute oil and gas to ensure economic sustainability in Timor – Leste.
Meanwhile, The secretary of State of Fishery, Ilidio de Araujo, informed that the budget was approved by National Parliament following the proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery on the procurement of the two fishing vessels, adding that, the two boats are currently under the procurement process.
“Currently the design has been completed by a consultant from Indonesia and all documents of the design have been submitted to the MoF for processing and will then be submitted to the National Procurement Commission to open the tenders for interested companies, ” said Araujo.
Journalist: camilio de Sousa
Editor : Nelia B.
