DILI, 26 september 2022 (TATOLI)— Timor-Leste’s Minister of Finance, Rui Augusto Gomes, and his delegation left Timor-Leste for Manila, Philippines to attend the 55th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors at the Bank Headquarters at Manila Philippines.
Minister Rui and his delegation left Timor-Leste for Manila on Saturday (24/09). Minister Rui and his delegation were set to stay in Manila for a week from 26 to 30 September 2022.
Minister Rui was also set to attend several high-level meetings and other bilateral meetings.
Shortly after the arrival, Minister Rui met with ADB Chair, Masatsugu Asakawa on monday to discuss several priorities of TL’s Government.
“This is a good opportunity for Chairman Asakawa to gain a greater understanding of Timor-Leste’s development as well as ADB’s activities in the TL by supporting the priorities of the TL Government,” The statement said.
The statement said, after TL became part of the Regional Department of Southeast Asia (SERD) of ADB, TL continued to assert its identity as an Asian country and sought ADB confirmation for its support for the accession of TL’s membership to ASEAN.
“On the second day, Minister Rui will meet with the Head of the Public Relations-Private Partnership (PPP) Office. Because TL has several PPP projects in the coming years,”
Meanwhile, on the third day, the Government delegation will hold a bilateral meeting with the Australian delegation led by the Interim Alternative for Australia Minister, Rachel Thompson to discuss Australia’s support for the TL’s economic recovery and perspectives on how ADB’s new partnership with TL would support that recovery.
“On Thursday, all Ministers and an official government delegation of 68 member shareholders will have the opportunity to meet the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Romeldez Marcos Jr. who is also the Guest of Honor at the 2022 ADB Annual Meeting,”
Meanwhile, in the afternoon, Minister Rui will participate in the Ministers’ Business Session. This high-level meeting will be chaired by ADB Chair, Masatsugu Asakawa and attended by all Ministers and official government delegates. During this Business Session, Minister Rui will deliver an official state statement.
On the fifth day, Minister Rui plans to attend a plenary meeting between ministers, which will discuss threats to food security in Asia, the Pacific, and ADB’s response.
“Prior to returning to the TL, the delegation will hold a Bilateral Meeting with Vice President Ahmed Saeed and Director General Ramesh Subramaniam of the Regional Department of Southeast Asia, to discuss other important topics such as grants, technical assistance, and concessional loans provided to Timor-Leste by the Bank over 20 years ago,” the press release reads.
Journalist: Camilo de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
