DILI, 18 august 2022 (TATOLI)-The government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MoFAC), and partners discuss the creation of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for the community living overseas.
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Julião da Silva, said that the eighth Constitutional Government led by the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, has given a legal mandate to MoFAC, to begin its work on the creation of the new State Secretariat for the community living abroad this year.
“I was given a mandate by Prime Minister to lead the process for the creation of the new State Secretary of Foreign Affairs for the overseas community, consequently I invite all the partners United Nations (UN), International Organization Migration (IOM), United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), and National partners such as Timor-Leste National Commerce Bank (BNCTL), Central Bank of Timor-Leste (BCTL)and the private sector to share their views and develop the policies related to activities of Timorese living abroad,” Vice Minister, Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Julião da Silva told TATOLI at the MoFAC, Pantai Kelapa Dili on thursday.
Silva added that so far, the contribution of the Timorese community in the diaspora in 2021 was US$ 61 million which had been circulating in Timor-Leste, saying, therefore, the creation of the new Secretariat of State aims to involve their activities to participate directly to the economic development of the country.
“With the creation of the State Secretariat of Foreign Affairs, they will become part of the promoter together with the Timor-Leste Ambassadors abroad to promote the productivity of our products overseas to develop the economy of Timor – Leste, in the future,” he said.
With regards to this plan, Deputy Minister of MoFAC, Julião da Silva, and his delegation will depart to England and Northern Ireland to meet with the communities there for two weeks.
The delegation will also be identifying the data of the Timorese community in Australia, South Korea, Portugal, Indonesia, the Philippines, and other countries.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Nelia Borges
