DILI, 30 november 2022 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, said that the construction of the Tibar Port was the most significant infrastructure development in the transport sector for many years, saying this investment mobilizes the potential for economic diversification in the country.
Horta commended when addressing the inaugural ceremony of Tibar Port at Tibar Dili, wednesday.
President Horta revealed that, despite the multiple challenges faced during the construction process of the new port, “we were finally able to complete the construction of this port, which is vital for our economy and trade and which will connect us to regional and global markets on a larger scale. ”.
“The Tibar Port presents significant progress for Timor-Leste in accessing a more efficient and competitive global value shift in the markets, which provides a greater incentive to attract more private investment into the export-oriented industry”, Horta said.
The Head of State then considered the port will play an important role in Timor-Leste’s accession process to ASEAN and is one of the main infrastructures connecting Asian countries, increasing trade levels and creating opportunities for businessmen.
“The purpose of establishing the Port of Tíbar is to facilitate the promotion of our economy and make a Timor-Leste center for the movement of goods. It is important to ensure that the port provides efficient services, with a competitive rate, to allow the growth of business trade and the private sector in the country”, Horta assured.
“I am very optimistic that the country’s economy will diversify and cargo traffic will steadily increase”, he stressed.
Horta thanked the former Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão, for his vision in defining this infrastructure as a priority in the National Strategic Plan. The Head of State also congratulated the leadership of the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, for the effort and commitment that involved the political parties in the conclusion of the port.
The Minister of Transport and Communications, José Agostinho da Silva, in his speech, stressed that the construction of this infrastructure will bring a bright future and a new economic era for the country.
The Executive Director of Bolloré Port, Philippe Labonne, in turn, thanked Timor-Leste’s Government for the partnership and trust in the construction of the project.
He said that the company is committed to training young Timorese workers to enable them to operate efficiently in this new port.
The port has a length of 630 meters and a width of 15 meters, 27 hectares of space for containers, and two berths that allow safe and secure mooring that can then facilitate the unloading or loading of cargo or people from vessels.
The new port aims to support Timor-Leste in the diversification of domestic production, facilitating maritime connectivity with the Asian region, also connecting the country to the global market, and improving access to trade and other industries.
The construction of the Tbar Bay Port was carried out by Timor-Port S.A, Bolloré, and the Government of Timor-Leste.
Of the US$280 for the initial phase of the construction project, around US$130 million was made available by the government of Timor-Leste, and US$150 million was allocated by both Timor-Port S.A, and Bolloré.
The China Harbor company was contracted by Timor Port to build the port. Tibar port is considered a project of public interest, led by an inter-ministerial commission comprising the ministers of Finance, Public Works, Planning and Planning, and Transport and Communications.
Journalist: Afonso do Rosario
Editor: Maria Auxiliadora
Translation; José de Sa
