DILI, 15 november 2022 ( TATOLI)– Timor-Leste’s National Parliament has approved the 2023 Annual Budget for the Secretary of State of Exterior for Timorese Communities in Diaspora.
The total budget approved by the Parliament is worth over US$ 1 million.
From the $1 million budget US$ 575,500 will spend on the financial management administration and logistic activities, while US$ 20,000 for human resources training.
A member of the National Parliament, Angelina Sarmento, said a US$ 20,000 amount is allocated to empowering the Timorese youth through the related language courses before departing overseas.
Sarmento said the reason for allocating this amount was because following the experience many Timorese workers in Portugal cannot speak the Portuguese language: “With this experience, we put the budget to empower the Timorese youth to prevent the difficulties overseas,” she said.
While US$ 406,500 is for procurement and contract management. The establishment of this new State Secretary is to enhance ties between Timorese citizens in the diaspora while at the same time helping them access different public services.
This Secretariat State will also transmit the information about the process of development of Timor – Leste to Timorese communities in the diaspora and also mobilize them to strengthen the economic growth of the county.
Based on the data recorded by the Timor-Leste Foreign Affairs office, over 20,000 Timorese people reside overseas, therefore the creation of the New Secretariat State of Exterior to provide the service for these citizens.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
