DILI, 4 april, 2023 (TATOLI)- United Nations Development Program (UNDP) together with the Minister of Tourism Trade and Industry (MoTTI) and Entrepreneurship Development Support (IADE) signed a letter of agreement for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Skill (YEES). This agreement was signed to implement the YEES project in 4 municipalities in 2023.
Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP, Adeline Carrier said it is a pleasure to formalize an agreement with IADE to provide entrepreneurship skills for Timorese youth and an important occasion to support the youth to boost the country’s economy.
“Please allow me to use this special chance to express UNDP’s deepest gratitude for the continues support provided to the government of Timor-Leste in supporting our integrated approach to providing opportunities for youth to start or expand their business in Timor-Leste,’’ Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP, Adeline Carrier said in her remarks, in Mandarin, Tuesday.
She added currently 72% of the population under 35 years old is unemployed, and 20% of youth aged between 15 – 24 are not in education, employment, and training. One of the major reasons is the limited opportunity to be entrepreneurs due to access for Timorese youth to entrepreneurship training.
In the same place Deputy Minister of MTCI, Domingos Lopes Antunes said this program is a joint commitment to improve the current business landscape by providing entrepreneurship skills.
Thus, this is an opportunity to Timorese youth to be equipped with the relevant skill and knowledge experience to open their own business.
“We are providing pre-incubation and incubation training. We will also provide a small grant to start up your business,’’ He said
He added that there is some financial support through a soft loan program to support Timorese entrepreneurs to enlarge their business activity.
While, The Executive Director of IADE, Filomino Marcelino Belo said: “We are focused on training program on the YEES program including providing pre-training, startup business and for an existing business,’’ He explained
He said the YEES program in 2023 will be implemented in four municipalities such as Dili, Baucau, Ermera, and Liquica.
However, IADE will recommend to the development partner UNDP and KOICA to have any flexibility to expand to other municipalities.
It is known that the YEES project in 2023 is funded by KOICA through UNDP worth 279.150 thousand USD
So far, in last 2022, KOICA, UNDP together with MTCI has signed a financial agreement for six years for seven million USD.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
